EXPLORING THE SUPERINTENDENCY February 1, 2017 Do it now. - - PDF document

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EXPLORING THE SUPERINTENDENCY

February 1, 2017

Do it now. Sometimes “later” becomes “never.”

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

Today’s Agenda

1. The Role of the Superintendent 2. YOU - as a leader of a school district – Values, mission, motivation – Leadership Strengths 3. Governance and Board Relationships – Politics and Culture 4. Resource Allocation 5. Student Achievement/Instructional Practice 6. Communication and community engagement and planning – Leading Change 7. Search Process – Resumes, application questions, cover letter, interviews with Board and Community 8. Your Action Plan Moving Forward

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

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Best Practices Across the Country

■ National: Council of School Superintendents – Superintendency as a Career, Facilities Management, Educational and Financial Leadership Roles of Superintendent, Governance and Board Relationships, Professional/Personal Challenges, Search Process ■ Texas ASA – Moral and aesthetic dimensions of leading a school district; developing clarity about the beliefs and values that lead to distinguished leadership ■ AASA – Year-long, application required, $6,000 – Knowing Yourself as Leader, Framing the Role of the Superintendent, Communication, Leadership, Governance and Board Relationships, Data- Driven Decision Making and Leadership, Balancing Leadership (Instructional v Operations), Human Capital and Leadership Development

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

AASA Aspiring Superintendent Framework

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

The U The Uniq ique ue Role le of

• f the

the Superi Superint ntendent nt

■ Different job that includes everything from your previous work AND… – Board of Education management and relationships – Policy development and enforcement

■ State and Federal Laws

– Responsibility for Improvement of Instruction and Student Outcomes – Responsibility for Allocation of Resources – Responsibility for relationships and communication with the Community and other external relationships – You are the face of the school district – Relationships with Internal Community: Principals, Faculty (including the union) and Administrative Staff ■ You are in charge! What you say gets quoted. What you do is watched and reported. What you wear, what you drive, who you talk to, how you look…yup. All of it. ■ The work gets done through relationships. ■ And…really…in the end…It is all about the Board.

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To be or not to be a superintendent?

Tool: Force Field Analysis

Desir ired ch change: Be Beco come a a school s superintendent ■ Driving Forces ■ Restraining Forces ■ Prioritize ■ List actions to be taken

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

You make your life your own by understanding it.

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

Un Under derstanding y tanding your ur leadership s leadership style yle and strengths and strengths

■ In this section – Your personal vision – Your educational beliefs and values – Your leadership characteristics – Your ONE statement

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Cherokee Wisdom and Leadership

■ Clear Int Clear Intention – You must know what your purpose is and persist in its pursuit. ■ Skill Skillful Means l Means – You must have good methods and be skilled in their use. ■ Af Affirm rmation – Your task must have integrity, it must not clash with fundamental values, it needs support from the tribe and from your own heart.

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

Your personal values and beliefs

■ What do you believe about education? ■ What are your core values regarding education? ■ What are your deepest held beliefs and values that you would NEVER abandon or compromise?

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

Your Personal Vision Statement

■ You can’t lead others unless you have a strong sense of who you are and what you stand for. ■ The template: – What value do you create? – Who are you creating it for? – What is the expected outcome?

■ Example: I use my passion and expertise in education to inspire teachers and communities to support learning for ALL students.

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More introspection…

■ Consider these questions:

• 1. How are your beliefs evident in your life?
• 2. What is your leadership style?
• 3. How do you make decisions?
• 4. What qualifies you for a superintendent job?
• 5. What have you done in the past that connects?
• 6. What have been your most significant successes?
• 7. What is your leadership story? What significant life events shaped who you are?

■ Your ONE thing – your “brand” identity – Your one sentence that describes your purpose/mission in educational leadership – WHY are you leading?

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

There is never a good time for tough

• decisions. There will

always be an

• election. You have to

pick courage and do it.

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

Governance

The Board of Education and The Superintendent Roles and Responsibilities

(from CASB School Board Member Leadership Workbook)

Supe Superi rintendent:

1. Serve as principal advisor to the board on all school district matters. 2. Serve as district executive of administrator responsible for board policies and directives. 3. Chief administrator of the district.

School B

• ol Board:

1. Representative of the community in providing direction for district programs and ensuring the school system operates efficiently and effectively. 2. Concerns itself primarily with adopting policy, planning school service and evaluating the quality and effectiveness of district services. 3. Employs and evaluates the superintendent.

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Superintendent and School Board Relationships

Why invest the time?

• 1. Trust and understanding.
• 2. Shared vision focusing on student learning.
• 3. Understanding of roles and responsibilities.
• 4. Effective communication.
• 5. Decision making.
• 6. Community connections.

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

Politics Bolman/Deal’s Frameworks for Leadership

Stru ructural al

■ Organization and clear structure ■ Tasks, Facts and logic ■ Clear lines of authority

Po Politica tical

■ Special interests groups and agendas ■ Conflict and limited resources ■ Negotiations and compromises

Human Human R Resources

■ Support and empowerment of others ■ Responsive to needs of others ■ Gains commitment and loyalty

Sy Symbolic

■ Vision and inspiration are critical ■ Symbolism and ritual ■ Traditions and values embraced

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

Lessons in Political Readiness

from Stephen C. Joel, Supt. Lincoln Nebraska

(AASA School Administrator, 0ctober 2016)

• 1. Recognize there is no normal.
• 2. Advance work means everything.
• 3. Start internally and work outwards.
• 4. Calmly engage your community.
• 5. Hold to your principles.

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We don’t have much

• budget. But there will

be plenty of work coming your way.

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

Resource Allocation

What is the superintendent’s role in resource allocation and budgeting? A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.

• Dave Ramsey

Don't tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I'll tell you what you value.

• Joe Biden

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

Those who open school doors, close prisons.

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The Superintendent And Student Achievement

In the end, as a leader, you are always going to get a combination of two things: What you create What you allow

Boundaries for Leaders Results, Relationships and Being Ridiculously in Charge by Dr. Henry Cloud, 2013

If the “main thing” is student learning, then what do you need to create and what do you allow as the superintendent?

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

Student Achievement

Accountability for student achievement starts at the top: district leaders can deeply influence classroom instruction quality. Superintendents help develop the policies, practices and structures that ensure students succeed. ■ Any school system set upon improving student achievement needs a shared vision and a common language for understanding and leading high-quality instruction. – A district focused on student achievement. – A unified vision of high-quality teaching. – A common language for improving classroom instruction. – Effective principal support systems. – Powerful teacher evaluation programs. ■ University of Washington’s 4 Leadership Frameworks

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

Customers and Communication

■ Customers are individuals and groups that we serve. ■ All staff members and the school district have customers. ■ Customers are internal and external to the organization. Interna ternal Extern ternal al Direct ct Indirect ct Some school district customer examples: community, students, teachers, businesses, parents, administrators, Board of Education, suppliers (think of all those purchase orders), regulators, state legislature and legislators, professional development organizations. Anyone who interacts in any way with the organization is a ”customer.” ■ Customers needs are met by the benefits received from products and services. ■ Communication is needed for each customer group.

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Tool: Customer Mapping

■ Visual tool ■ Created by a team – Conversation is critical ■ Goal: identify the customer-supplier relationships within the system – Customers and suppliers are not ”absolutes.” One person or organization often fulfills both roles. – System is defined first ■ Why map? Understanding the relationships makes it more likely that the relationships will be managed well. – ”Management” includes communication.

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

School boards are looking for God – on a good day.

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

The Sear The Search ch Pr Proce

• cess

■ Before you apply, you may want to research the following questions to determine the possible ”fit” for your talents and interests. (Ask Google, not people in the district!) – How many students? Location? Declining enrollment? – Why is superintendent leaving? – What is the history of the superintendency? What has been the rate of turnover? – What is the history and current status of labor relations in the district? – What is history and level of academic achievement? – What is the community support through MLOs and bonds? – What is the present economic condition of the community? – What do you know about the current board? Any red flags?

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The Sear The Search ch Pr Proce

• cess

■ Resumes ■ Cover Letter ■ Applications - Brochures ■ Questions ■ Interview with community – typical questions ■ The Contract

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

De Developing an an Acti tion Plan an t to Mak Make Y You u the the Idea Ideal Can Candidate

■ Learn about you – vision, leadership strengths, organizational strengths, areas of growth ■ Learn more about the superintendency (current and former superintendents, literature) ■ Learn more about leadership – read everything you can get your hands on from multiple places ■ Learn more about organizational development and strategic planning ■ Get active in CASE – relationships, relationships ■ Create a strong resume – Consider possible people to provide recommendations (don’t ask yet) ■ Learn as much as you can about Boards of Education – Attend meetings in your district

■ Reflective journal – what works/what does not

– Read carefully the CASB Board manual – Interview current or past superintendents that you know – ask questions about board communication strategies

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

De Developing an an Acti tion Plan an t to Mak Make Y You u the the Idea Ideal Can Candidate

■ Volunteer for a district leadership role – District Accountability Committee – Curriculum Committee – Budget Committee – Strategic Planning Group ■ Get involved in the community – Service clubs – Volunteer opportunities – Show up at events ■ Volunteer at the state level ■ Practice with the people around you right now… – Listening – Ethical behavior – Building trust ■ Go back to school ■ Set specific goals and timelines for accomplishing your goals

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It won’t be easy. But it will be worth it.

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017

Handouts…

■ Agenda (includes presenters and contact info – on CASE letterhead? Maybe just the presentation?) ■ CASB Board of Education handbook ■ AASA Aspiring Supt ■ Force Field Analysis explanation ■ Customer Map (2) ■ Characteristics of a Leader (exercise) ■ Leadership Assessment Sample ■ Clifton Strengths List ■ Example: Statement of Educational Beliefs ■ Leadership practices, competencies etc

CASE Winter Leadership Conference February 2017