Week 7 Discussion - Meeting Attendance

Meeting Attendance

 Tuesday, December 3, 2019, 1:36 PM

 

This afternoon the fifth-grade teacher comes by your office and asks if it would be possible to miss today's meeting. She really hates to miss, but she has had to re-schedule her hair appointment at a local salon and the only time she could get in is today at 3:30. She was told that if she doesn't take that appointment, it would be a three-week-wait for another appointment.

What I assume is that she has never done this before, and that I have never held a meeting that was solely for the purpose of saying we held a meeting.  I do not believe in wasting time like that. 

What I know is that in my district Tuesday afternoons are set aside for faculty meetings, and it is even in our contracts. Teachers are instructed to keep Tuesday afternoons free for the purpose of faculty meetings and/or professional development. The flip side is that administrators are expected to refrain from holding meetings after school on any other day.

What do you tell her?

First, I ask if it is possible for her to wait the extra time or if there is another stylist, she can use this one time that can accommodate her schedule better. If she says no to both, then I remind her that we are contracted to keep Tuesday afternoons free.  I am going to let her go this time, but if he misses another meeting for a non-emergency, I will have to place a letter of reprimand in her file. Also, I will make sure she knows that it is her responsibility to get the information she misses and submit any required feedback/paperwork on time.

When is it permissible to allow one of your staff to miss staff meetings?

In my district it is permissible to allow one of my staff members to miss a meeting for a medical reason, family emergency, or if the teacher is in PD at another location.

Should teachers know the rules in advance, or will you consider these kinds of requests on a case-by-case basis?

Both; Teachers should know what the expectations are from the very beginning of the year.  But life happens.  So, as a leader who is building relationships and building a positive work environment, I have to take these issues on a case-by-case basis. Even with that said, however, there needs to be consistency from me and the expectations need to be reinforced by holding teachers accountable.

Will allowing this teacher to keep her hair appointment set precedent for future meetings in your building?

That is my very first concern; that would be bad.  That is why I think it is necessary for me to remind her of her contractual obligations and let her know that if this happens again, there will be negative consequences. 

Is that sending a message that the meeting really isn't important? Or are you showing that teacher that you can be flexible and sensitive to personal needs?

For me, it is the latter.  I will not hold meetings unless they are warranted. The vast majority of our school-wide communication comes via email and it is effective. I have learned that people appreciate not having to attend meetings every week.  So, when I do hold a meeting my teachers will know that there is a purpose for it. Letting this teacher keep her appointment is showing that I am sensitive to her needs and that I am willing to be flexible, but I am also holding her accountable by requiring her to follow up with the information she misses, and follow through with any assignments that are given.