STANDARD FIVE - Managerial Leadership
School executives will ensure that the school has processes and systems in place for budgeting, staffing problem solving, communicating expectations and scheduling that result in organizing the work routines in the building. The school executive must be responsible for the monitoring of the school budget and the inclusion of all teachers in the budget decisions so as to meet the 21st century needs of every classroom. Effectively and efficiently managing the complexity of every day life is critical for staff to be able to focus in energy on improvement.
5A: School Resources and Budget
The school executive establishes budget processes and systems which are focused on, and result, in improved student achievement.
School Budget Project
My fellows and I received a school budget assignment in which we were tasked with managing the budget for a school qualifying for Title I funds as a new principal. We examined the school improvement plan for the school and created a data-informed goal to improve math scores by a percentage that aligns with the district math goal. Within our team we used the TregoEd Decision Analysis Protocol to make a decision on the initiatives that will produce the most significant outcomes to support the school's improvement. Because of this exercise in school budgetary practices, I am more knowledgeable of funds allotted to a school. I also learned a decision analysis protocol that will aid in my work as a school leader in receiving decisions from a team and having data from this decision to share with stakeholders.
5B: Conflict Management and Resolution
The school executive effectively and efficiently manages the complexity of human interaction so that the focus of the school can be on improved student achievement
I drafted a memo that detailed the issues of steps to handle the concerns noted in the staff member's job performance. Within the memo, it provides the facts of what occurred and the incident being noticed. Additionally, in the memo, it detailed the suggested steps of improvement and the timeline of which these actions are expected to take place. I learned in this experience a protocol to use in conversations with a staff member who does not demonstrate proficient performance.
I included the detailed background of a crucial conversation I had with a staff member. I recognized there was a need for the conversation based on the following elements: opposing opinions, high stakes and strong emotions. Each of these elements were present. During this conversation, I used the appropriate methods of: share your facts, tell your story, ask others paths, talk tentatively and encourage testing. The conversation concluded with reaching a mutual agreement.
5C: Systematic Communication
The school executive designs and utilizes various forms of formal and informal communication so that the focus of the school can be on improved student achievement.
Interview Email
The interviewing team used the following email to notify candidates of scheduling an interview. This email provides the outlook for candidates of what to anticipate for the interview and including contact information. Additionally, this email frames the upcoming interview as a conversation about opportunities and benefits within the environment.
Interview Scheduler
This spreadsheet was used to document days and times for the interviewing team to interview candidates. This spreadsheet provides more background about the steps to interview candidates.
I sought to obtain feedback from staff members about the quality of services received by evening and weekend custodial staff in the school building. This form provides us with process data to monitor services rendered and relay this information to our district contacts who manage custodial contracts we receive.
I sought to retrieve feedback from staff members about requests staff members have about their learning space needing an improvement to the area. I strived to obtain this feedback to ensure that our staff members are heard in the needs they have. This method of retrieving prompt feedback was accessible and provided the opportunity to address the concerns within a timely manner.
I composed a memo to the staff person who does not perform effectively as expected. In the memo, I relay the facts of concern to the staff member, the rules that are in violation because of these actions, the implications of how these actions may deter quality instruction being conducted, the suggestions for how to improve and the knowledge of the event being discussed, suggestions to improve being taken consideration by the staff member and confirmed by the staff member and I, with the follow-through that the staff member receives a copy of the memo from me for their records.
5D: School Expectations for Students and Staff
The school executive develops and enforces expectations, structures, rules and procedures for students and staff.
Fire Drill & Lockdown Procedures Presentation
I presented to staff members during a faculty meeting about the purposes of and steps to takes during fire drills and lockdowns. This presentation is available to staff members to access within our school's staff portal so they have this information of action steps to take during a fire drill and lockdown drill in the building. Throughout the presentation, I included visuals and reference points of best practices that staff members and students may use during a drill.