THE DALLES — Education Association Representative Kate Galt reintroduced teaching staff concerns reported in prior sessions at the Oct. 22 North Wasco County School District 21 (NWCSD) meeting.
Citing the Oct. 15 shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Galt began by saying, “Situations like these remind us of continually evaluating school safety and ensuring our buildings have the staffing resources and procedures needed to respond when concerns arise. As a licensed teachers union, we want to share some of what educators are experiencing in our buildings, and how workload, staffing shortages and safety concerns are affecting staff across the district.”
She emphasized that the district is short on substitute teachers, and those effects reach far beyond the classroom. She said administrators are often pulled into classrooms to cover support staff or take on additional responsibilities, with teachers and other employees left filling gaps while still meeting the needs of their own students.
She expressed appreciation for how hard everyone is working to keep schools running, but every time someone is pulled away from their regular responsibilities, it affects someone else in the building.
“Administrators covering classrooms have less time available to support staff, respond to concerns and be present throughout the schools,” she said. “These staffing pressures become exceptional or especially concerning when student behaviors continue to escalate, despite repeated interventions in some situations.”
Building teams streched, clear procedures needed
As Galt further outlined, building teams have worked hard to address concerns, followed established procedures, and use available supports.
“Yet, the situation does not improve,” she said.
When that happens, staff need to know there is a clear process for determining what comes next, and when additional support is necessary.
“It’s about recognizing that any individual or building team has limits to what it can reasonably manage without adequate resources and district level support,” said Galt.
These experiences highlight the importance of regularly viewing safety protocols, behavioral intervention processes, staffing plans, and improving communication between buildings and district leadership, Galt said.
She requested that procedures are made clear, not just for emergencies, but also for situations that develop over time, including when interventions are no longer effective and building teams need additional assistance. She noted it is important for staff to understand how these decisions are made, who becomes involved, and how the district ensures that concerns are addressed before they reach a crisis point.
As part of a closing statement, Galt said, “As a union, we believe that sharing these experiences are essential to maintaining a healthy working relationship with the district. When educators communicate recurring concerns, we aim to identify where systems are struggling and where changes could improve conditions for both staff and students. Ultimately, we want the same things … safe schools, supportive working environments, and the best possible learning conditions for our students.”
Her goal with this report to the school board was to help everyone to recognize that current demands can put everyone into difficult positions, even when they are doing their best.
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