Parents and administrators are responsible for most of the harassing behavior toward Howard County School System employees, according to a top school union official.
“One thing that really disturbed me was, in some cases, it [the harassing behavior] was in the presence of administrators, where parents screamed during conferences,” said Ann DeLacy, president of the Howard County Education Association, which is the union that represents teachers, instructional assistants, nurses, cafeteria workers and secretaries, among others.
“From what I?ve read [in the survey] … there?s not a lot of colleagues [harassing each other].”
Superintendent Sydney Cousin said the survey results are a “concern” in light of the fact that the school system has a goal of providing a “safe and nurturing environment.”
According to DeLacy, 44 percent of 3,289 respondents said either they witnessed harassing behavior or experienced it from colleagues,administrators and parents.
“It?s an indicator that needs to be addressed, and we will continue to collaborate with the union,” Cousin said.
Mary Jane Barbato-Grauso, president of the county PTA council, said she was “surprised” by the survey?s findings. Regarding PTA council members, she said, “They are very well-mannered. They don?t hold back their opinions, but there?s no belligerence.”
Cousin said the school system has ways to address harassment, including through its equity assurance office, which investigates harassment cases, and the ombudsperson, who works through conflicts.
He acknowledged charges of harassment have been made within the system, although he didn?t have information about the number of cases.
“We?re a system of 7,000 employees and 50,000 students,” he said.
School Board Chairman Joshua Kaufman said he hopes to gather more information from a separate board survey that will question the staff on workplace issues such as harassment.
DeLacy would not release the survey for fear that the information would be damaging to some schools.
She plans to talk about the survey results during the county School Board meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Department of Education in Ellicott City.
Other findings of the job satisfaction survey
» 84 percent have confidence in the superintendent
» 72 percent have confidence in the School Board
» 23 percent said their salaries were commensurate with the amount of time it takes to complete their job
Source: Ann DeLacy, president of the Howard County Education Association
