Time to put on our thinking caps

I wanted to visit a bit about the all-district collaboration which I have called for the morning of Friday, February 27, 2009. It seemed important to me and to others on the administrative team to garner input from all of our staff about ways to economize, work “smarter and not just harder” and to be proactive in the fact of economic and fiscal uncertainty. To that end, we decided to pursue the collaboration as a means of getting all of our staff members involved in brainstorming ideas to further the cause of teaching and learning in our district in ways which might both assist us financially and afford our students greater opportunities than they now have.

We will be addressing the issues of time, staffing, resources and building on our successes on this day. Each of the thirty work groups will be asked to come up with their top suggestion in each of the four areas which will be submitted and summarized for the entire group. Summaries will be sent out to all staff on the Monday following our Friday meeting. I believe that there is some urgency here and I hope that we have clearer direction from the legislature than we now have. To that end, I am asking each of you to put on your thinking caps and come to our session prepared to offer your great ideas both for the short term and long term for USD 373.

If something prevents you from participating, feel free to send me an e-mail with your ideas. We need everyone as we work collaboratively to continue to move our district forward in an uncertain time. I look forward to February 27 and to some great ideas which, hopefully, we can implement both this year and next.