By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Palliser Schools commits to follow up in response to organizational review

Nov 3, 2016 | 3:13 PM

LETHBRIDGE – A more than 200 page organizational review of Palliser Regional Schools has turned up 21 recommendations from two professional review panel members.
 
Dr. Kelly Williams-Whitt and Dr. Terence Weninger were chosen by the school division, and started their review process on May 25, 2016. That was recently concluded on October 31. 
 
The review was requested by the superintendent at the time, Kevin Gietz, after allegations of bullying and unwelcomed physical contact toward female employees were made against him online in January. Gietz has remained on paid leave without any assigned duties since August 24.
 
During a heavily attended board of trustees meeting on Thursday (Nov. 3), an executive summary of the report, including all the recommendations, was released publicly.
 
Both reviewers noted that there is a significantly negative tone. Most notably, Williams-Whitt identified that there is “a culture and climate that is not psychologically healthy for employees”, among a list of several other issues.
 
However, the summary made little reference to the allegations made against Gietz. It simply states that trustees should “take ownership of the Superintendent evaluation process”, and look at the approach, criteria, measures and methods being used.
 
When asked, Robert Strauss, Board Chair, said he can’t comment on Gietz’s status until the board and their legal team have a chance to vet the document. For transparency purposes, Strauss added that they received the report for the first time on Thursday, as well.
 
“The board is going to treat this report with the utmost seriousness, and will spend the requisite amount of time to review the documents in great detail, ” Strauss said.
 
“We also heard that this division has a lot of positives in it, and we have a lot of things we need to look at for improvement. We welcome that challenge.”
 
One concerned parent, Kelly McLeod, felt a sense of reassurance that the review panel came to the same findings that many people had already been claiming for some time.
 
“I think at this point, the board would be crazy not to implement some change. There’s been so much attention from media, parents, staff and former staff that things have to change,” noted McLeod. “I really do hope that it happens quickly so that people have some more faith, and have faith put back in the board.”
 
Strauss stressed that the Palliser board of trustees will be committed to following up in an effort to create an even stronger division, and appreciates the public’s interest.