Case Study #30

Case Study # 30

Analyze the Case

#1) I have ranked the concerns from most important to least important. I would want to fix the higher ranked issues first and foremost.
1. Many teachers considered the leaders to be pawns of the principal, since the leaders were rarely switched year after year.
2. The SLT members were handpicked by the principal rather than selected by each team.
3. Those teachers who were more adamant and convincing often received more money out of the school budget for supplies and programs.
4. A few representatives, including Principal Botts, dominated the decision-making process.
5. Some teams left voting entirely up to the representative.
6. The SLT leaders felt that more tasks were delegated to them as time passed.
7. Several teams rarely met because the representative’s notes were passed around.
8. Teachers requesting admittance to the Wednesday meetings felt hesitant and intimidated.

#2) The role of each team leader in each group could be very easily consistent throughout the teams if they all followed the same guidelines and manual. They should have a checklist of responsibilities and stay on track. The role of each team leader needs to be that as a listening voice. They should reflect only what the group has decided and voted on. They should only make a decision if there is a split between the rest of the group. They should be organized and efficient communicators. They should report everything that is discussed at the leader meetings. They should follow three simple rules, 1. Be respectful, 2. Be honest, and 3. Be responsible.

#3) Principal Botts will have to refocus the selection process of his team leaders. I would suggest giving more power to the staff. Have the staff vote on who they want to represent them. I believe she should not force anything onto this group as they are spending extra time for the bigger cause. I believe she should also be an active listening voice. She should only make a decision if there is a split between the rest of the leaders. She should also follow the three simple rules of life; respect, honesty, and responsibility.


Discuss the Larger Issues

#1) I believe the easiest and best way to evaluate the effectiveness of a collaborative leadership program is to ask the non-leaders in each group. Twice a year a formal evaluation should be taken asking how they perceive the group is working and if they feel their concerns and items are being dealt with in a timely fashion. They should take into consideration whether or not their leader listens to them and informs them as to what they need to know. The committee that issues the evaluations should be made up of a few non-leaders, leaders, and the principal. The results should be calculated and given to the leaders to inform their group.

#3) As mentioned before, being a listening voice and following the three rules, any principal can fit into the puzzle just as any other piece. They are that final piece of the puzzle. They need to watch and see how others are reacting to the shared leadership decisions.


Be a Problem Solver

Dear Staff,
It has come to my attention that I have been a little off base and missed the boat on my thinking of what is going on. I would like to apologize and reassure you that this will be fixed. As the administrator, I have decided to make a few changes that I think you will find most pleasing. At the beginning of each school year and half way through, we will vote for our department leaders. Each department will decide who they would like to represent them. The voted on member must gree that they will and can take on this responsibility. Some feel that those who participate more receive extra money out of the school budget. We do have a strict policy to follow when it comes to the budget and we must stick to that. If any of you feel you need more or less money for supplies, please let me know and I will bring this matter forward to the budget committee. My job is to listen first and only be called on to make a decision if there is a split decision among the leaders. I will also override any decision that is just impractical or deters away from our handbooks. Please be aware that your leaders have the same responsibility as I do. They are there to be a listening voice. They may provide input and help lead the discussion but only make the finial decision if there is a split among your department. Everyone has a specific job to do and we need everyone to be on board to be fair and just to the students and ourselves. Depending on the time of year, the leaders will have more or less responsibilities to overcome. I understand time is very important and I thank all of my leaders for the extra time it takes to do what they do. As mentioned before, each meeting is very important and each week I urge you to meet to discuss within your departments what is good, what is bad, and what is going on. If any of you felt hesitant or intimidated about coming to a Wednesday meeting, I am truly sorry. Please stop by any time we even have coffee and donuts once in a while. I hope this has helped eased your fears about our leadership team. I truly believe we will be moving in the right direction once again. If you have any questions about the changes or still have fears, please talk with your leader or myself. My door is always open for you. I will leave you with three words that we must all live by: respect, honesty, and responsibility.
Dr. Botts
Investigate Further

Being in a private Lutheran school, I don’t really have a school district. Although I am not part of the group, I know that every principal in our synod district (Pacific Southwest) meet once a month. They discuss what is going on in their schools and discuss issues each of them are having at their own schools. They build each other up by giving examples as to how they solve similar problems. More recently, something I am part of is our S.T.A.T (School Technology Advisory Team) online group. http://psdstat.ning.com/. Alan Lutz of St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Orange, California who is the chairman of STAT says, “We are mainly teachers helping teachers throughout the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church with anything technology.” We discuss anything about technology and how our schools can utilize and promote. If we have a question we can post a question online and it will be answered usually with in days, sometimes minutes. Alan created this group to expand STAT but got the idea from Rob Jacklin of St. John Lutheran School, Ellisville, MO. He created a national version of Alan’s site with discussion about technology in the Lutheran schools throughout the nation (http://techls.ning.com/). Some of the ideas that have been discussed on techls.ning.com is being utilized by changing the Lutheran School Portal http://www.lsportal.net.