Week 5 Discussion - Conference with Staff

Conference with Staff

Monday, November 18, 2019, 10:05 PM

 

The scenario of meeting with a member of the cafeteria staff who does not want you present in the meeting, is an interesting situation, but also a very valid situation. 

Can the staff member actually demand that you leave?

The staff member does have the right to demand you leave the meeting, especially if the meeting is something of a personal nature or of some sort of disciplinary nature. It is also important to note that everyone has their right to privacy. However, if this is addressing general cafeteria problems in a school to sort out with between the principal and cafeteria I do not think there is any merit for the staff member to make such a demand. 

Why would she not want you in there, since you have known her for a very long time?

There could be several reasons. It really would all depend on the purpose of the meeting. It could be because you have known each other for such a long time, that this staff member wouldn't want a negative side presumed about them. Also, back to the right of privacy. Then again, it could be that they are someone who struggles with feeling intimidated, it really is about the person and their personal qualities. 

What will you do at this point?

I think I would wait for a cue from my principal, being an intern, I never want to make anyone uncomfortable or upset. However, my first instinct would be to just get up and leave the meeting. I do feel once my principal explains what my purpose is for being there, the possibility of this person not minding my present might change. Again, it really is about why this meeting was called. The staff member's right to privacy is necessary to honor if it is of a personal nature, this is a part of developing a staff culture. 

What should the principal do/ What are your suggestions?

If I were the principal I would ask the other person to leave the room for a minute. I would explain the purpose of having the other person in the room to take notes about the meeting so that it is a fair record of this meeting. I would let them know that they will have the ability to view the final meeting notes at the end of the meeting and that everything in the meeting is of course kept confidential. If this is of a personal matter, I would honor the staff member's request, unless the other person I have asked to be in the meeting is an AP or another member of the administration team. If that is the case I will explain why they must be a part of the meeting, so that all admin are on the same page.