[June 30, 2011] Communication was the only ding on Long's review Tweet Jun 16, 2011 (Mail Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The Medford School Board has given district Superintendant Phil Long a positive review, but once again said he needs to do a better job of communicating with the board and the public. This lack of communication was the only knock on Long in the board's yearly evaluation of the superintendant, which they presented during a meeting last week. Communication concerns have marked Long's evaluations in the past, prompting the board to work with him this year in creating "concrete" plans to deal with the issue, Long said. "I am really pleased with the plan," Long said. "The steps are specific and very do-able." Beginning July 1, Long will hold weekly coffee meetings on a rotating schedule to hear individual board members' concerns and answer any questions they might have about a plan or policy. Other steps include sending out weekly updates on current issues, sending out the board meeting packets three days in advance of a meeting, scheduling debriefing sessions for significant issues and regularly calling or emailing board members. In other words, Long will be expected to keep board members in the loop so they are able to answer the questions of their constituents, said Eric Dziura, the outgoing board chairman. "There has been concern about whether the board is getting the information it needs as soon as it should," he said. "There have been times when board members are given a copy of a PowerPoint presentation or, say, an important letter the night of a meeting. It doesn't give them enough time to understand the information to make informed comments before the public." For instance, Dziura said, the board was not kept up to speed on a budget crisis facing middle school sports programs this year. The programs were facing drastic cuts and the board was unaware that district employees were participating on a committee formed to address the issue. "The board felt there could have been better communication about what was going on with the middle school sports," Dziura said. Dziura said board members are an important way the district communicates with parents, who are concerned about budget issues facing the schools. "By improving communication between the board and (Long), it will improve communication with the community," Dziura said. "We want the board to be able to speak knowledgeably at meetings." Long said the past few years have proven difficult in keeping the public and board abreast of developments within the district, especially as financial concerns multiplied. "Having face time with board members will help me as a superintendent," Long said. "It will also make public meetings more profitable." Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 541-776-4471; or email [email protected] To see more of the Mail Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.mailtribune.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]