Employees give superintendent Julie Janssen high marks

Fifty-two percent of Pinellas school district employees say superintendent Julie Janssen is providing quality leadership, according to just-posted results from the district’s annual climate survey.

A total of 7,211 school-based employees responded; 74 percent of them were classroom teachers. Fifteen percent strongly agreed and 36 percent agreed that Janssen, hired in September, is providing quality leadership. That compares to 9 percent who disagreed, 5 percent who strongly disagreed and 34 percent who said they were neutral.

Last year, 26 percent gave former superintendent Clayton Wilcox a favorable rating.

Ron Matus, state education reporter

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Comments

[HS Teach]

The survey was conducted via "Survey Monkey". It was rumored that some had been able to access the survey from multiple IP addresses. I wouldn't put too much faith in the results being a valid reflection of how the school district's employees really feel.

[Maximo Mariner]

I did not fill out the survey because it was on line and through our email accounts. There was no way they could say it was private/secret,etc. Our Informational Systems department sits there all day looking at employees computer screens playing "Big Brother." They can track any IP address. It was a sham and most people at my school did not fill it out or participate. They need to go back to the scantron form. The district is floundering and waffling completely on issues, decisions, and outcomes. BTW - Where is our step pay? Going on three years with out it!

[Let's waste more money: The Survey]

Not Happy: I think it was sent to everyone--I'm support staff & received it--it was joke anyway. Most people I spoke to feared retribution.

[St Pete]

Wow! I had no idea that so many district teachers did not fill out the survery for the same reasons that THE MAJORITY of my school did not. It was a sham. The responses were directly tied to our PCSB accounts. I wonder how many teachers actually completed the survey? That would be real news. The teachers I know do not support the mighty Dr. Julie or the board. They make expensive knee jerk decisions without input from anyone and then claim ignorance on those issues. Once the crap hits the fan, they ask for an even more expensive do-over. They do as they please and without any thought to the parents, students and employees. The results of this survey are not the truth.

[Teacher in Pinellas]

I did not feel that the survey was anonymous. We had to click a link from our email using the schools intranet. I think because of that, some teachers either were not completely honest or did not take the survey at all for fear that our jobs were in jeopardy.

[chump]

I agree- I chose not to fill out the survey because I didn't feel it was anonymous. Not valid results if you ask me.
On another note, who was hired for the 3 new assistant super positions?

[not happy]

What survey??? I never saw an e-mail asking for input. Did only the teachers and administrators receive? Figures why would they want the comments from the entire district. Afraid maybe the results would be even lower? Every day is truly an adventure with PCSB.

[Fine print reader]

I did not complete the online survey as others have mentioned due to fear of retribution for my real thoughts. I wouldn't call the survey numbers representative of what teachers really think. Janssen has done nothing but create havoc in this district. She doesn't seem to be in it for the students, families, or teachers. Maybe she'll retire and take her hundreds of assistants with her. I'd like more follow up on those administrative costs, St. Pete Times.

[pinellasteach]

Is the St. Pete times the new publicity agent for Janssen? Janssen is cold-hearted and incompetent as a leader of Pinellas schools. The morale has never been lower than it is right now in the classrom, thanks to her style of leadership. Why don't you explore that fact with the teachers. A 52% shows serious problems. But then again, maybe the Times is grading this Superintendant creep on the Hernando proposed grading scale. By the way, what happened to the follow up on the top-heavy admin in Pinellas County Schools? Oh that's right... the St. Pete Times are just spin masters for this Superintendant and her thousand administrative servants. Wouldn't want any negative press about these issues.

[Mo]

I am a classroom teacher. We were each e-mailed, individually, a link to use to complete the survey online. I did not participate because it was not anonymous and I fear retribution from the current administration. If there are others like me, the survey isn't terribly valid.

[Darlene]

Some employees didn't want to respond to the survey because it would be completed on a district computer. Those opinions are the ones that would likely be negative and were not included.

[fire julie Jansen]

52% equals an F according to Pinellas County and State Standards.

Remember she was the third choice

[Twice as good as Wilcox]

Any one could follow Clayton Wilcox and expect to do twice as well as he did. That's not a big stretch now is it?

Should we grade the Superintendent on a curve this generous?

[constance]

Please, ask the employees how many of them think the union is showing great leadership. After that, termie may want to rethink his concept of giving zeros.

[terminator]

gee, I always thought 52% was a failing grade!
silly me