Groupthink – a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome – undoubtedly seems to explain the reason that Member 1 on the newly appointed School Board at Beersheba Primary School was able to get other members of the School Board to ignore the recommendation made by the Retiring Principal of the School in naming one of her most capable and competent teacher as her Successor.
Not only would have acceptance by the newly appointed School Board of the recommendation made by the Retiring Principal and supported by Community Member on the School Board restore confidence by Parents in the Academic Administration, but it is understood, that the track record of the teacher supported by Member 1 leaves much to be desired in contrast to proven satisfactory academic track record of the teacher recommended by the Retiring Principal. It is understood that positive attributes of the teacher recommended by the Retiring Principal with respect to her on the job performance at School include her impeccable interpersonal relationship with members of the academic and ancillary staff, students and the community. In addition, it is also understood that the teacher whom the Retiring Principal has recommended as her Successor – who resides in Beersheba Primary School Community in contrast to the teacher supported by Member 1 and does not reside in the School Community – has demonstrated her willingness to go beyond the call of duty to work assiduously to turn around the school.
Not only is the presence of groupthink at the first meeting of the newly appointed School Board that was held in the main auditorium at Beersheba Primary School on Friday, September 2, 2016 mind-boggling, but the irrational decision taken to ignore the Retiring Principal recommendation and acquiesce with views expressed by Member 1, is even more mind-boggling since this important decision was taken in the absence of the PTA Board Member who for unknown reason she did not attend the meeting.
Reminiscing on the impact that Member 1 – who is not known for any significant contribution that he has ever made to Beersheba Primary School – had on decision-making by the School Board, in contrast to former Member 1 (Karen Walker) who was not reappointed to the School Board despite the fact that she has always had the interest and welfare of students at the school at heart and she has volunteered her service assiduously to turn around the School; one tends to want to question the reason that Karen Walker who still has a lot to offer was not reappointed to the School Board.
It is indeed a sad commentary that any attempt to undo or do damage control regarding the action taken by Member 1 and the impact it is already having on decision-making in naming the Successor to the Retiring Principal is definitely not in the best interest and welfare of the students, parents and all other stakeholders in the impoverish peasant farming Beersheba Primary School Community.
Members of School Board at Beersheba Primary School appointed by the Minister of Education for 2016/2017 School Year on the recommendation of National Council on Education are:
Chairman: Rev. Christopher Euphfa
Principal: Mrs. Tatlin Smith-Williams
Academic Member: Mrs. Naomi Foster-Brooks
PTA Member: Ms. Nickesha Lawrence
Community Member: Mr. Valdez Hamilton
Member 1: Mr. Michael Morgan
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