Washington Parish Proud: Our Public Schools

Thank you for taking a moment to read this blog.  Just to be clear on the front end, this is written by me as an opportunity to share my thoughts for our public school system.  This blog is written to reflect my thoughts.

As the new President of the Washington Parish School Board, I believe it is important to communicate with the families we serve; our valued and hard working employees; and the taxpayers and citizens who reside within the Washington Parish School System (WPSS).  Thank you for taking a few moments to read this blog.

Public education is a public matter regardless if you have children or grandchildren in public schools.  If you are a business owner, land owner, and/or voting citizen in our community I believe you are a CUSTOMER of the WPSS. And it is our responsibility to do everything possible to communicate with, listen to, and engage with all of our customers.

Research Tell Us

Let's begin with what we know, and why it is important for everyone to be concerned with our public education system.  Consider the following:

• Research tells us that public education influences economic development. 
• We know public education impacts the value of your property

Therefore, if you reside within the WPSS districts, pay taxes, vote, have a voice, or have family who attend or work for this system you have an important stake in our performance.

Building on our Success

The WPSS serves one of the highest populations of students living in poverty.  Despite that fact, WPSS continues to out perform other high poverty school districts.  Our system boasts an incredibly successful graduation rate and has scored very high by state measures in the strength of diploma our graduates earn.  In other words, more students are graduating than ever AND the quality of their diploma is stronger than its ever been. 

WPSS has one of the few universal Pre-K LA 4 programs in the state; meaning every 4 year old residing in the WPSS district can attend school full-time. WPSS is one of only 7 school districts to receive an early childhood grant that will help us provide early education in our highest poverty area --a solid foundation for a successful journey in education!

WPSS is living up to its Mission of preparing students for success!  Our schools are improving academically despite constant changes from the state on how success is measured. The "bar" keeps getting moved on us, yet, we continue to improve and deliver a quality education for our students. You can find data on your school's performance by clicking here.

It is important we provide a quality education that prepares our students to compete in a global economy and for jobs that have not yet been created. It is also important we do so in a manner that is cost effective.  

On that note it is important for our citizens to know that WPSS' cost per student is lower than the state average, and --very important to me-- an administrative cost per student below the state average.   In other words, we spend less on administrative or "overhead costs" per student than the average school district in Louisiana.  To put it plainly - the Washington Parish School System does MORE with LESS.  

Don't take my word on it, click here to see the facts as reported by the state department of education.

Looking Forward

Success just doesn't happen; you must prepare and plan for it. A vision without a plan is just a wish. I don't believe we can leave our future and our children to the chance and wish of success. By planning and preparing for a successful future, we are preparing our students and our community for success.

I am confident we are as transparent as any public entity.  Our budget is available for viewing at any time and we have constantly encouraged (pleaded) for public participation in our meetings.

We are so blessed in our system.  Our communities are defined by our schools. The pride we have for our students and student-athletes is incredible. Few communities can boast that fact like we can.  While we celebrate the achievements and growth of our schools, we also realize there is much more work to be done.

Over the next few months I will continue to share blogs on what I believe are key areas to address.  I believe those areas should include the following:

• Quality education for all students 
• Curriculum and course choices that prepare students for career and life goals
• Academic rigor, extracurricular activities, performing and creative arts, and athletic programs that allow our students to compete and learn at the highest levels possible
• Highly qualified, highly supported teachers and support staff throughout our schools
• 1:1 Access to the latest technology for learning and career preparation
• Supportive environment that values Employees
• Facilitate a culture that embraces, nurtures, and supports ALL members of our team
• Encourage our local legislative delegation to prioritize pay raises for all public school employees (10 years and counting with NO increase in pay)
• Encourage professional growth within our system and accountability to ensure the success of our students
• Facilities and campuses that support 21st century learning
• Long and short term plans to ensure all WPSS campuses are well maintained and capable of providing an appropriate learning environment in a safe setting
• Evaluate current properties to make assessments on their future use or need
• Ensure facilities reflect our community's value of our own children and youth 
• Engage our parents and the community overall
• Encourage and increase parent participation in their child's education
• Consider more structured parent teacher organizations where needed
• Provide opportunities for all citizens to learn more about our schools
• Grow and strengthen partnerships with our business community, civic and community organizations, other government bodies within the parish, and other education providers including Northshore Technical Community College.

This is just our beginning.  I ask that you join us and be a part of influencing the future of our parish by influencing the future of education. Bringing different thoughts and perspectives into the conversation will only make us stronger and that is truly a win-win for all!

Stay informed of the latest news, meetings, and announcements by "liking" and following the Washington Parish School System Facebook page (click here).

Leading Chaos: The Journey of Work Life Balance

Sometimes you just have to let it go.  You plan; you plan for the planning; --you even plan to execute the plan-- and then it heads south...north...or...it goes any and all directions. The chaos is maddening but the memories wrap around your heart like one of those all-body snuggie suits on a cold winter day (admit it, you have one of those crazy things!).

If leadership is art then trying to lead at home is like conducting an orchestra of chirping birds. The sound can be peaceful and relaxing or it can be maddening if your goal is quiet solitude for a minute...or five. Perspective.

Leading the chaos of life and home is indeed art in motion.  To the "untrained" eye, it's paint splattered on a wall -- unintentionally, intentionally.  In the moment you fail to realize you are raising your very own Picasso. Or, what you see is your 3 year old daughter drowning the kittens; what she sees is "making them all clean." Perspective. So, in either case, you gather your composure (eventually) and you just go with it. 

“The days are long but the years fly by.”

In this game we call life, these words are often spoken yet so profound.  Wake up one morning and your toddler has gone from cleaning kittens to shining the family ride for a first date.  Blink your eyes and your celebrating your 10th anniversary as executive director.  Where has the time gone?

Along life’s journey the moments are easy to forget but the memories linger to warm our hearts; remind us of good and tough times; and sometimes stick around long enough to poke us right in the eyes until a little of that wet stuff builds up. (Allergies!)

There will be chaos --and it will be maddening-- at work and home. The question is how will you respond as a leader? What masterpiece will you create as you dance along to the beat called life? When others hear and see chaos, will you see a vision of what can and will be if nurtured and cared for at just the right moments? As a leader can you discern "the right moment" to act; or to simply be still.

As you reflect on wet kittens (they all recovered by the way) relaxing in front of a warm fire in your comfy snuggie, what matters most to you among the chaos and clutter of your life’s journey?  

Yep; thought so. Go ahead; it's okay! You have permission to admit what matters most and then live accordingly.  

From the Wyble family to yours, wishing you all of life's special moments this holiday season and a fruitful, blessed 2017.

Dr. Wyble is a proud dad and husband, and the President & Founder of Leadership Concepts, LLC; a professional service firm providing practical solutions to community and nonprofit organizations.  Learn more at Leadership Concepts

Now that you are a Nonprofit Executive Director

You can hardly contain your excitement.  It is a monumental accomplishment; you've dreamed of it; prepared and worked long hours for it.  You are the new nonprofit Executive Director or CEO. 

You have reached the pinnacle; the promise land.  Time to celebrate as you think, “Finally, I can step into that circle of honor, glory, and prominence.”   Welcome to the club! Cue the music and confetti.

Then it hits you.  Like a fierce summer thunderstorm, reality rains heavily all over you with little warning. Panic and paranoia set in.  You think, “I must show I have what it takes to steer the ship!”

You have the answers; you are all-knowing.   You, and you alone, are the Captain.  And just like that trouble begins.  Before you even get started you have created your own storm.

It doesn't have to be that way.  Before you panic and steer your organization in the wrong direction consider these fundamentals as a first time nonprofit executive:

Clear Vision – A clear vision that is mission focused helps your team to build confidence and trust in your leadership. As a new executive focus on a clear short term vision for the first 30 to 90 days with discussion of where the organization should be at the end of your first year.  Is everyone bought in to the vision? Is there a clear path to get there? 

Avoid over-complicating matters; focus on team buy-in and trust.  The organization may need a complete redo, but it can't happen at all once if you intend to preserve the confidence (not to mention sanity) of your team. 

Think Team.  The reality is you do not have all the answers, solutions or ideas.  You never will.  A confident leader recognizes their own strengths and weaknesses. A brave and innovative leader builds a team that compliments his or her own weaknesses. If you build a team based on trust and transparency you can have team members whose strengths compliment your own skills and experiences.   You want a team that will trust and respect you --but also challenge you.  Sure it can be scary, but imagine your organization thriving with this kind of a team.

Leadership and Strategy.   The two are not one in the same. Strategists are not necessarily effective leaders but as a leader you need to be an effective strategist.  Strategies are only effective if the team has ownership and understands the implementation process.  Don't over complicate the execution.  You do not need a 20 page policy for a 5 member staff every time you implement a strategy.

Clear vision.  Confident team.  Focused execution. See a pattern emerging? 

Momentum.  Change brings fresh energy, hope and enthusiasm. Take advantage to create momentum through early victories.  What can you achieve in a relatively short amount of time to seize momentum and earn trust and confidence with your team?  Meet with your team individually and as a group as soon as possible.  Ask them about short- and long-term priorities and needs, “What is your vision for this organization?”

Prioritize the team’s feedback according to what can be done timely and with available resources.  Never doubt the value of no cost strategies that improve “organizational life” but do NOT make commitments that you are not 200% sure you can deliver.

Regardless if you are a first-time, or an experienced nonprofit executive in a new role, the transition to the “pinnacle” can be overwhelming.  There’s plenty of room at the top for your team as long as you have a clear path and plan to get everyone there.

Most importantly, don't neglect your own professional development as necessary and essential to your organization’s success. These tips will help but it is important (and okay!) to seek a third party resource for support and direction.

Dr. Wyble is the President/CEO and founder of Leadership Concepts, LLC; a consulting service providing practical solutions to community and nonprofit organizations.  Learn more at Leadership Concepts

YOU are the key to effective Board Governance

How would you describe your relationship with the Board of Directors? If it's less than ideal would you (could you) admit so?  How specifically has your organization benefited as a result of the Board's leadership and actions? 

These are great starter questions when discussing board development and growth with a new client. They are not, however, the most important question. 

Leadership is a formula and you need just the right blend for success.  While there are many components of leadership, you simply cannot make the formula work without an effective Board of Directors. 

So, about that question a consultant should ask you, "What are you doing as the executive leader to support, engage, and guide the Board of Directors so they clearly understand their role?"  

To get you started thinking about how your leadership supports the Board, consider the following:  

Mission:  What is the Board’s commitment to the mission? Why is each member serving, and what is is their contribution in support of the mission? From monetary contributions to expertise, skills, and relationships each board member should add value to the organization.

Accountability:  Performance Assessments are necessary and healthy for the development and growth of the executive leader, Board, and organization overall. This includes periodical Board assessments with a third-party entity.  

Leadership:  Every executive leader needs a Board comprised of individuals who embrace opportunities to lead.  Seek Board members who want leadership roles; not ones who shy from opportunities to lead.

Team:  Perhaps the toughest element, outside of raising money, is the Board’s relationship with the executive leader. The Board should understand their role is to hold the executive accountable and then recognize the executive as the clear leader of the team. Conversely, you must demonstrate your ability to be an effective leader to reinforce this relationship with the Board.

You: Your ability to effectively lead is a key element for the organization’s success.  How are you supporting, nurturing and engaging your Board?  Are Board meetings simply a “dog and pony show” of just how great things are supposedly going; or is strategic thinking and planning taking place?  Seek the delicate balance among providing direction and guidance; the Board's commitment to the mission; and the Board's willingness to embrace accountability.

If your Board is not where you feel it should be then consider engaging a third party to facilitate important discussions to move the organization from good to great.

************

Dr. Wyble is the President/CEO and founder of Leadership Concepts, LLC; a consulting service providing practical solutions to community and nonprofit organizations.  Learn more at Leadership Concepts