POLITICAL INFLUENCE AND GOVERNMENT
1. Exhibit an understanding of school districts as a political system, including governance models;
2. Demonstrate the ability to involve stakeholders in the development of educational policy;
As a Superintendent, bringing key stakeholders to the table to voice opinions and share in decision-making can be crucial to the success of a project or initiative. Such is the case in bringing key players together as we move forward with the initiative to transition from a 6-12 High School to a Middle/Senior High School. Having the right people in place, visiting five other Middle Schools, having tough conversations and dreaming big have all served us well thus far. Communication surrounding such initiatives is also key. As an example of how a Superintendent can model that for staff, students and families, I provide a Google Communities platform with information and updates.
Middle School Exploration Team - Middle School
3. Understand the role and coordination of social agencies and human services;
4. Demonstrate the ability to align constituencies in support of priorities and build coalitions for programmatic and financial support;
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the role the political process plays in public education and the connection between these;
6. Demonstrate an understanding of how to interact with local and State government;
Towards the end of the 2016 Minnesota legislative session I sent a letter to Representative Paul Torkelson, Chair of the House Bonding Bill Committee. My purpose was to promote that funding for The Reading Center based in Rochester was included in the final version of this piece of legislation. Every St. James ECSE through Grade 5 teacher plus two teachers in the Middle School have been trained in the phonemic program, Orton-Gillingham. This training has been provided and supported by The Reading Center. The MCA and FAST data in our Elementary reveals that Reading comprehension and fluency has increased by double in the past three years, the same years that O-G has been embedded into student learning. While O-G is only one strategy that was used by our educators, it is apparent that this targeted system and intervention has had significant impact on student achievement. As reflected in the email, our low-income students and English Learners benefit the most from this learning.
Letter to Rep. Torkelson concerning Orton-Gillingham - O-G
I am a watcher of all things political, particularly as it impact education and rural Minnesota. I have contacted government officials frequently, but most recently about the ending of the 2016 Minnesota legislative session.
Special Session - Governor Dayton
Special Session and Education - Representative and Senators
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles played by other community leaders in the school district.
As our taxpayers neared the November 3, 2015 vote for a referendum and operating levy, it was apparent that the staff needed to be reminded of their boundaries in what they could and could not do in promoting or defeating one or both ballot issues. It was determined that a notice should be sent to all staff with this information. Many school employees played a key role in getting this seventh try at a bond referendum successfully passed. Emotions run high at such a time; those emotions needed to be tempered and people reminded about law and their potential impact on outcomes. A Superintendent is bound by following guidelines; especially at times such as ballot questions. As a Superintendent, I will find myself in need of leading calmly and wisely.
Staff Reminder Piece for November Ballot Questions - Staff Reminder
1. Exhibit an understanding of school districts as a political system, including governance models;
2. Demonstrate the ability to involve stakeholders in the development of educational policy;
As a Superintendent, bringing key stakeholders to the table to voice opinions and share in decision-making can be crucial to the success of a project or initiative. Such is the case in bringing key players together as we move forward with the initiative to transition from a 6-12 High School to a Middle/Senior High School. Having the right people in place, visiting five other Middle Schools, having tough conversations and dreaming big have all served us well thus far. Communication surrounding such initiatives is also key. As an example of how a Superintendent can model that for staff, students and families, I provide a Google Communities platform with information and updates.
Middle School Exploration Team - Middle School
3. Understand the role and coordination of social agencies and human services;
4. Demonstrate the ability to align constituencies in support of priorities and build coalitions for programmatic and financial support;
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the role the political process plays in public education and the connection between these;
6. Demonstrate an understanding of how to interact with local and State government;
Towards the end of the 2016 Minnesota legislative session I sent a letter to Representative Paul Torkelson, Chair of the House Bonding Bill Committee. My purpose was to promote that funding for The Reading Center based in Rochester was included in the final version of this piece of legislation. Every St. James ECSE through Grade 5 teacher plus two teachers in the Middle School have been trained in the phonemic program, Orton-Gillingham. This training has been provided and supported by The Reading Center. The MCA and FAST data in our Elementary reveals that Reading comprehension and fluency has increased by double in the past three years, the same years that O-G has been embedded into student learning. While O-G is only one strategy that was used by our educators, it is apparent that this targeted system and intervention has had significant impact on student achievement. As reflected in the email, our low-income students and English Learners benefit the most from this learning.
Letter to Rep. Torkelson concerning Orton-Gillingham - O-G
I am a watcher of all things political, particularly as it impact education and rural Minnesota. I have contacted government officials frequently, but most recently about the ending of the 2016 Minnesota legislative session.
Special Session - Governor Dayton
Special Session and Education - Representative and Senators
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles played by other community leaders in the school district.
As our taxpayers neared the November 3, 2015 vote for a referendum and operating levy, it was apparent that the staff needed to be reminded of their boundaries in what they could and could not do in promoting or defeating one or both ballot issues. It was determined that a notice should be sent to all staff with this information. Many school employees played a key role in getting this seventh try at a bond referendum successfully passed. Emotions run high at such a time; those emotions needed to be tempered and people reminded about law and their potential impact on outcomes. A Superintendent is bound by following guidelines; especially at times such as ballot questions. As a Superintendent, I will find myself in need of leading calmly and wisely.
Staff Reminder Piece for November Ballot Questions - Staff Reminder
