Fallsnewspress.com - School Board 'satisfied' with superintendent, treasurer

by Ellin Walsh

Reporter

Cuyahoga Falls -- Members of the Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education are satisfied with the performance of the district's superintendent and treasurer, although one member is not satisfied with the final form of the evaluation document itself.

Superintendent Dr. Edwin S. Holland and Treasurer Kathryn L. Sines were evaluated by four of the five members of the Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education in June and July. Board President Barbara L. Gunter said Board member Kellie Patterson did not meet the June 1 deadline for submitting her completed evaluation forms.

"The evaluations indicate that collectively the Board is satisfied with the job both Dr. Holland and Mrs. Sines are performing," Gunter said. "Both Dr. Holland and Mrs. Sines saw their approval increased across all categories and their area of expertise continue to receive the highest marks. Collectively, the evaluations show no areas that still need improving."

Holland received the following composite, or average, scores out of a possible 5-point maximum: 3.65 in his relationship with the School Board; 4.05 in community relations; 3.8 in instructional leadership; 4.25 in fiscal management and business affairs; 3.5 in his relationship with staff; 3.65 in personal qualities; and 3.68 in professional skills. The superintendent's total evaluation composite score was 3.79.

Patterson said she prepared a separate evaluation of the superintendent and treasurer, which she delivered prior to the one signed by her Board colleagues. Patterson said she disagreed with the final form of the evaluation document, since it includes both individual scores and a composite, or average, in each category. Patterson added she doesn't have an opinion on the other Board members' evaluations, since she did not participate in preparing them. Copies of Patterson's evaluations were not available at press time; however, Patterson told the Cuyahoga Falls News-Press she rated Holland and Sines as "meeting expectations" for the most part.

"The evaluation document that is signed by the members and the superintendent and treasurer is the only official document of record and only official documents are placed in files," Gunter stated, adding, "It is unfortunate that Ms. Patterson was unable to work cooperatively as a Board member."

"I am appreciative of the Board members' comments and the evaluation," Holland said, referring to the evaluations arrived at by the Board majority. "We have worked well together in moving the school district forward, both financially and academically. The district has made great strides under this Board's leadership and their support of my work is appreciated. I wouldn't be able to do what is necessary for this school district to be successful without their support."

Holland added he looks forward to working with the Board to promote passage of a 7.9-mill renewal levy in the Nov. 3 General Election.

Holland became the Cuyahoga Falls district's superintendent in mid-January 2005. Prior to becoming the district's superintendent. Holland served as the district's assistant superintendent. He has been with the district for 13 years.

On the Board-majority evaluation, Sines received the following composite, or average, scores out of a possible 5-point maximum: 3.95 in technical skills; 4.0 in staff and personnel relationships; and 4.0 in personal characteristics;

"As the treasurer of Cuyahoga Falls City Schools," Sines said, "I have seen many challenging changes in the educational environment. I wish to thank the Board of Education for the encouraging comments in my evaluation. I wish to thank my staff and the communities for their support over the last five years. It is with their assistance that we have been able to stabilize the schools accounting standards and maintain fiscal creditability and provide accurate and timely financial information."

Sines joined the school district in spring 2005. Prior to that, she served as the treasurer for Bristol Local Schools in Trumbull County from 1993 until 2005. Sines succeeded Paul Wulff as the district's treasurer. Brenda Adkins performed the task in an interim capacity before the search for Wulff's replacement was completed.