An Optimistic Todd Parent with a Vision of Hope

By Mike Valenti

http://www.MikeValenti.org

I am a Todd parent who will fairly and equally listen carefully to, and represent, all District constituencies + from parents of preschoolers to empty nesters. Below are a few words that come to mind as I contemplate my Vision of Hope for our District's Board of Education. For those residents in the District who have been carefully following the issues over the past six months, these words should be all the more significant to you.

Acknowledge - All members of the community, the administration and the faculty must be respectfully and appropriately acknowledged.

Appreciate - Faculty, as well as our Administrators, must feel appreciated for the job they do and the knowledge, experience and expertise they bring.

Attract - It is imperative that we create a climate with which we can attract superior talent with regard to two critical searches we must currently undertake, District Superintendent and Elementary School Principal.

Civility - An air of civility must become the hallmark of the relationships the Board maintains with the Administration, the Faculty and the Community.

Climate - We must moderate the overall climate within our District, moving away from the pattern of dis-harmony, disrespect, distrust, disenfranchisement and dysfunction that has begun to pervade.

Collaborate - We must restore a collaborative, team-oriented approach between the Board, the Administration, the Faculty and the Community.

Communicate - We must restore the communication model to one where all parties are both informed and have a voice.

Harmony - The harmonious relationship previously enjoyed between the Board, the Administration, the Faculty and the Community must be restored.

Include - An inclusive management style is most productive in any business, even the business of education. The Board must go out of its way to include all constituencies in the formation of policy and in decision making. This will be especially productive and valuable in the key searches for Superintendent and Todd Principal, as well as the shaping of the next school budget.

Listen - It is imperative that the Board listen openly, eagerly, constructively, carefully and completely to those who convey valuable input, including the expert Administrators and Educators as well as members of the Community.

Morale - Morale among our educators is at an all time low. Unhappy, unappreciated faculty members are not inclined to give us their best in this type of an environment. Further, they become more open to calls from other districts regarding open positions. Restoration of morale is essential and dependent on a sea-change in the overall climate that currently pervades.

Optimism - The Board must take the lead to restore a feeling of genuine optimism. Our Educators must feel genuine optimism for the future of the District, their contribution and their relationship with the Board. Our Community must feel genuinely optimistic about the direction of the District, the preservation of academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, property values and their ability to have a voice.

Optimize - The Board must fully develop an optimization strategy where the goals of academic excellence, premium property values and fiscal prudence are carefully balanced. The process of optimization is healthy and, if executed well, should not materially disturb the ecosystem of our community.

Represent - The Board is populated by elected representatives. To be elected by the community means that it is the responsibility of all Board Members to fairly and equally represent all members of the community + not an elite few.

Respect - Administrators, Faculty and Community members must all feel respected by the Board. Respect begins with an appreciation of the division of labor between the Board, the Administration and the Faculty. It also includes respect for all members of the community. Respect extends to the acknowledgement and utilization of the skills and experience that all of these constituencies bring to the table.

Respond - Questions and comments from members of the community deserve thoughtful, complete, considerate, constructive and expedient responses.

Restore - The Board must restore the positive, optimistic, productive, inclusive climate that has been so successful for so many years. The current pattern of dis-harmony, disrespect, distrust, disenfranchisement and dysfunction must be a thing of the past.

Retain - Retention of quality Administrators, Educators and Staff is of the utmost importance. Happy, well respected, appreciated people who are included in the development and execution of the delivery system will not be inclined to take leave from our District.

Role - The Board's role must respect the limits between its charge and the charge of the Administration and Educators. Clear division of labor is essential to respected roles and responsibilities.

Safety - The Board must strictly promote and adhere to a policy of safety first. This begins with the levels of security on our campuses and extends to guarding the health of our precious children.

Support - Administrators and faculty must feel supported in their respective roles. They must feel that they are being given the resources, infrastructure and support to maintain the model of academic excellence the District demands.

Team - It "takes a village" to raise (and educate) a child. The Board must move back in the direction of a fully collaborative process and model that employs a policy of inclusion. The voice of the Administration, The Faculty, and the Community must be regained.

Transparent - The Board's activities must be fully transparent to all who are impacted by them. Transparency, while certainly a burden, must be a firm policy and commitment of the Board.

Trust - The Board must re-earn, and then continue to maintain, the trust of the Administration, the Faculty, the Staff and the Community.

Value - Employees of the District, be they Administrators, Faculty or Staff must feel truly valued for their service, experience and expertise. Community members must similarly feel valued for the contributions that they make as well. Those who do not feel valued feel disenfranchised + an unhealthy state of mind.

Voice - The Administration, the Faculty and the Community must regain the voice they once had in the business of educating our children, forming policy and budgets, shaping the educational delivery system, filling key appointments and more.

Win-Win - Negotiations must be conducted fairly and with the utmost of respect. Relationships are important. Negotiations must not destroy relationships or alienate people. We all understand the fiscal environment that has presented itself. Any negotiation must be conducted in an environment of mutual respect and in a manner that concludes in a win-win for all parties.