An analysis of perceived job stress factors on school personnel, and perceived techniques to reduce or manage job stress factors on school personnel caused by school closures necessitated by declining student enrollment

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify factors which cause job stress during school closures due to declining enrollments. An additional purpose was to identify possible techniques to manage or reduce job stress associated with school closures.A questionnaire was designed to identify stress factors associated with school closings. The questionnaire was mailed to 165 school personnel of two middle schools and three elementary schools closed due to declining enrollments. Responses were received from 109 school personnel. Mean scores for each questionnaire item according to demographic information were computed.A second questionnaire was designed to identify techniques helpful in reducing or managing stress factors associated with school closings. The second questionnaire was mailed to the 109 school personnel responding to the first questionnaire. Mean scores for each technique according to demographic information were obtained.Certificated personnel perceived "uncertainty of choice of job assignment"; "uncertainty caused by not knowing future school assignment"; "knowing when new job assignments would be made"; "extra work during the year due to closing of the school"; and "uncertainty caused by not knowing future administration" as the five most stressful factors during school closures.Non-certificated personnel perceived "uncertainty caused by not knowing future school assignment"; "uncertainty of choice of job assignment"; "knowing when new job assignment would be made"; "loss of preferred working schedule"; and "loss of familiar building surroundings as the five most stressful factors during school closures.Certificated and non-certificated personnel perceived receiving the greatest amount of help from the following five techniques: "personal conference with principal of school closed"; "group meetings with principal of school closed"; "meeting with the new principal"; "visiting building where yo4 might be assigned"; and "discussion with central office personnel."