Standard 9:

Operations & Management

Effective educational leaders manage school operations and resources to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

Guiding Question 1:

How does an effective leader strategically manage staff resources, assigning and scheduling teachers and staff to roles and responsibilities that optimize their professional capacity to address each student’s learning needs?

Guiding Question 2:

How does an effective leader seek, acquire, and manage fiscal, physical, and other resources to support curriculum,instruction, and assessment; student learning community; professional capacity and community; and family and community engagement?

Guiding Question 3:

How does an effective leader employ technology to improve the quality and efficiency of operations and management?

Guiding Question 4:

How does an effective leader plan and manage the school’s budget to ensure optimum and equitable use of fiscal resources?

Natalie works with members of the leadership team and department heads to schedule prep periods, duties, and other staff responsibilities. Care is taken to plan common prep periods for teachers at a grade or content level to be able to plan together as an integral part of a professional learning community. Staff members are aware and abide by the expectation that at least one prep period per week should focus on students who need intervention and plan for that intervention to take place. Natalie evidences this by:

Building Collaborative Teams: Natalie helps to form collaborative teams of teachers and support staff with complementary skills and expertise. These teams can collaborate to design and implement effective instructional strategies.
Differentiated Assignments: Natalie can strategically assigns teachers and staff to roles and responsibilities based on their strengths and the specific needs of students. They match staff members with the grade levels, subject areas, and student populations that align with their expertise. For example, a teacher with a strong background in mathematics may be assigned to teach advanced math classes or provide targeted support to struggling students in that subject.

Natalie uses the school plan as a guidepost in making decisions regarding fiscal, physical and other resources. The prime considerations are support of the curriculum, instruction and assessment, professional learning communities, and family and community engagement. All expenditures relate directly back to the school plan. If unanticipated income is received, revisions to the school plan are completed before money is spent. This is evidenced by:

Strategic Planning: Natalie engages in strategic planning to identify the resource needs of the school in alignment with its goals and priorities. She establishes a comprehensive plan that outlines the necessary resources to support the identified areas, such as curriculum development, instructional practices, assessment tools, community engagement initiatives, and professional development.
Budgeting and Resource Allocation: Natalie works closely with relevant stakeholders, such as the administrators, department leaders, and finance department, to develop and manage the school's budget. She can allocate resources based on the identified priorities, ensuring that funds are appropriately distributed to support curriculum resources, instructional materials, technology, professional development programs, and community engagement initiatives.

How does an effective leader employ technology to improve the quality and efficiency of operations and management?

Natalie insures that technology for instruction is part of the school plan. An inventory is maintained of current equipment and its condition and purchasing choices are made in accordance with the school’s technology plan (updated annually) and the school plan to insure that there is equity in spending across grade levels and subject matters. Professional development in technology is also factored in to the school plan in order to make sure that school staff is trained in how and when to use specific equipment. Money is set aside for repairs and a replacement schedule is developed. Evidence includes the school plan, technology plan, inventory, budget, and replacement schedule.

Communication and Collaboration: Technology facilitates effective communication and collaboration among staff, students, parents, and community members. Natalie uses tools like email, instant messaging platforms (Microsoft Teams), video conferencing, and learning management systems to facilitate timely and efficient communication. She can also utilize online collaboration platforms to foster teamwork, knowledge sharing, and project management.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Technology supports data-driven decision making by providing leaders with access to real-time data and analytics. Natalie can use data visualization tools and dashboards to monitor key performance indicators, identify areas for improvement, and evaluate the impact of interventions. Technology enables leaders to make informed decisions that are based on accurate and up-to-date information.
Resource Management: Technology assists in the effective management of resources, including budgeting, procurement, and inventory. Natalie uses digital tools for financial management, resource planning, and tracking inventory. This optimizes resource allocation, reduces waste, and ensures that the necessary resources are available when needed.
Security and Privacy: An effective leader recognizes the importance of technology security and privacy. They implement robust security measures and protocols to protect sensitive data, maintain confidentiality, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations. They stay updated on emerging cybersecurity threats and employ appropriate safeguards to mitigate risks.

How does an effective leader plan and manage the school’s budget to ensure optimum and equitable use of fiscal resources?

Natalie is well versed in budgets and financial planning. Funds are allocated in alignment with the school improvement plan. 5% is set aside for unanticipated expenses. She knows approximately how much to allocate to fixed expenses (utility bills, staff (if those costs come directly from school budget), regular building and playing fields maintenance, lease of equipment, etc.) Natalie also knows the difference between discretionary and categorical funding and how to appropriately use the funds from each category. While clerical staff may assist with purchase orders and other financial functions, the Natalie knows the leader takes full responsibility for the financial health and well-being of school funds. This is evidenced by Natalie's:

Needs Assessment: Natalie conducts a comprehensive needs assessment to identify the priorities and resource requirements of the school. Natalie can analyze data, gather input from stakeholders, and consider the school's goals and strategic plan. This assessment helps determine the areas where financial resources should be allocated to best support student learning, teacher professional development, infrastructure improvements, and other essential needs.
Transparent Budgeting Process: Natalie can ensure transparency and inclusivity in the budgeting process. She engages with stakeholders, such as teachers, support staff, parents, and community members, in discussions about resource allocation priorities. Natalie knows good leadership provides opportunities for feedback, solicit input, and explain the rationale behind budget decisions. Transparency helps build trust and understanding among stakeholders and promotes a sense of ownership in the budgeting process.
Alignment with School Priorities: As an effective leader, Natalie can align the budget with the school's goals, priorities, and improvement plans. She ensures that financial resources are allocated to support initiatives that directly contribute to student achievement, instructional effectiveness, and school improvement. They prioritize resources for areas such as curriculum development, instructional materials, professional development, technology integration, and student support services.

Personal Vlog: Standard 9

Debrief with Mentor: Standard 8 & 9