Managerial Tools or “Surviving as a Curriculum Leader” Dr. Michael P. Warner Retired Superintendent Lyons Elementary School District 103

CLDN Tools and Techniques to Master Goal Setting Goal Setting Time Management Time Management Budgeting Budgeting Resources Resources Project Team Development Project Team Development Technology Technology Getting along with the boss Getting along with the boss

Goal Setting Board Goals Board Goals Superintendent/Boss‘ Goals Superintendent/Boss‘ Goals Your Goals Your Goals CLDN

Time Management Rule #1: There’s never enough time! Rule #1: There’s never enough time! Get a Planner and learn how to use it Get a Planner and learn how to use it Learn the difference between “Urgent” and “Important” Learn the difference between “Urgent” and “Important” You need to attend to the “Important” You need to attend to the “Important” “Urgent” issues walk in the door, make your phone ring, and queue up on your – these issues are “important” to the other person, but may take you away from what’s “Important” “Urgent” issues walk in the door, make your phone ring, and queue up on your – these issues are “important” to the other person, but may take you away from what’s “Important” The secret “Rule of Three” The secret “Rule of Three” CLDN

Time Management You decide how long something deserves your attention You decide how long something deserves your attention You pre-determine the time meetings start and end (stick to it) You pre-determine the time meetings start and end (stick to it) You can choose not to answer the phone or read your You can choose not to answer the phone or read your You can break off a conversation with someone who walks into your office with something “Urgent” You can break off a conversation with someone who walks into your office with something “Urgent” CLDN

Budgeting Find previous budgets and ask lots of questions Find previous budgets and ask lots of questions If in a time crunch, use last year’s numbers for budget purposes If in a time crunch, use last year’s numbers for budget purposes Differentiate Grant from District Funds Differentiate Grant from District Funds There are different rules for each There are different rules for each CLDN

Grant Funds Make a friend at ISBE Make a friend at ISBE Pay attention to deadlines Pay attention to deadlines Expense report quarterly? Yearly? Expense report quarterly? Yearly? Amendments Amendments Use for mid-course corrections Use for mid-course corrections Pay attention to each line item amount spent – ISBE does Pay attention to each line item amount spent – ISBE does CLDN

District Funds Make a friend in the business office Make a friend in the business office Know the timelines Know the timelines Begin and end Purchase orders Begin and end Purchase orders The last date an invoice is accepted The last date an invoice is accepted Know the rules Know the rules Carry over money? Carry over money? Must have Purchase Order? Must have Purchase Order? OK to overspend line item (workbooks) if the larger category (Instructional Supplies) is under-budget? OK to overspend line item (workbooks) if the larger category (Instructional Supplies) is under-budget? CLDN

Developing Project Teams Define specific outcome Define specific outcome Time-defined agenda Time-defined agenda Develop the right mix – representatives from: Develop the right mix – representatives from: Every building Every building Administration Administration Various grade levels Various grade levels Union reps Union reps Parents? Students? Parents? Students? CLDN

Developing Project Teams Develop Timeline Develop Timeline Preset meeting dates Preset meeting dates Don’t leave open-ended Don’t leave open-ended Define length of each Define length of each Don’t leave open-ended Don’t leave open-ended Distribute minutes after each meeting Distribute minutes after each meeting Give progress reports to the boss to see if direction is OK Give progress reports to the boss to see if direction is OK CLDN

Technology Become a tech geek Become a tech geek Word Processor Word Processor Mail merge (meeting invites) Mail merge (meeting invites) Tables (organize lists) Tables (organize lists) Spelling/grammar (you’ll hear it from teachers if you don’t) Spelling/grammar (you’ll hear it from teachers if you don’t) Spreadsheet Spreadsheet Need for budget, lists Need for budget, lists PowerPoint PowerPoint For all those board presentations For all those board presentations Internet Internet Know sites your peers use Know sites your peers use CLDN

The Boss Wants You to... Do your job Do your job Don’t ask your boss to walk you through tasks you could figure out on your own No “plops” No “plops” No surprises No surprises Don’t screw up $ “Just a quick heads up” If an angry parent will be calling… A board member just mentioned… Anticipate problems CLDN

Resources Local Networking Local Networking Find time to attend – you are not alone Find time to attend – you are not alone IASCD Membership & Website! IASCD Membership & Website! ISBE ISBE Illinois Interactive Report Card Illinois Interactive Report Card iirc.niu.edu iirc.niu.edu iirc.niu.edu ASCD Membership & Books ASCD Membership & Books Robert Garmston Robert Garmston Bob Marzano Bob Marzano ROE ROE Other books… Other books… CLDN

Final Thoughts Remember there is never enough time to do everything – you must determine what is important and get that done. Remember there is never enough time to do everything – you must determine what is important and get that done. Your boss wants you to succeed Your boss wants you to succeed The learning curve is about 3 years – be patient with yourself! The learning curve is about 3 years – be patient with yourself! CLDN