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Home > Blogs > Lakota Schools News and Issues > Archives > 2010 > September > 30 > Entry
How would you organize Lakota?
In case you haven’t heard, Lakota’s Superintendent Mike Taylor is retiring Jan. 31. He has worked for Lakota 35 years and said it is time to focus on his family, which has been neglected the past few years.
Whether or not you approve of the decision or approve of the superintendent, this topic is one that I am sure will get plenty of attention as the district looks toward the future and its leadership. Lakota’s board is expected to interview treasurer candidates next week. It will be addressing the superintendent search as early as Oct. 11.
Many community members have expressed thoughts on how they think Lakota should be managed, who they think should lead Lakota and even what salaries people should make. I am sure there will be some sort of community feedback opportunity. But for the sake of argument, what are your thoughts on how one of the largest districts in the state is organized?
Here is one person’s suggestion, written to a school board member:
“With Mike’s retirement announcement I think that the Lakota School Board has an opportunity to review the District’s organizational structure … I think the size and complexity of the District needs a reassessment of how best to manage an enterprise with an operating budget approaching $200M and a like amount in capital assets. The enterprise employs over 1900 people, most of which are represented by a strong union with ties to state and national organizations. In addition, the district is subject to demanding state and federal regulation that is becoming more and more intrusive locally via mandates and strings-attached government subsidies. Because of its situation, I think it is time that Lakota consider hiring a bona fide Business Manager. The existing Treasurer position and Executive Director of Business Operations should report to the Business Manager. Issues of government regulation and lobbying, union relations, facilities management, contracts, and budget management/strategic planning would be the Business Manager’s responsibility. I recommend looking in the private sector for someone to fill the role. Healthcare Management professionals might be a target for recruiting because the industry is very service oriented, and issues of union representation and compliance with government regulation play a significant role in their business operation. I would narrow the Superintendent’s focus to educational and personnel administrative responsibilities to assure that the District’s responsibility in providing a first class education receives the individual’s full attention. I believe that currently the Superintendent is expected to cover too much ground, and as a result the attention to your fundamental charter of educating students is at time diluted. Regarding the open Treasurer’s position, I would move the current Assistant Treasurer into that role, and substitute the search for a Business Manager for the current recruiting of a new Treasurer. It may be that some of the candidates you already have in mind would fit the Business Manager role, but I would strengthen the criteria to include experience with broader strategic planning. I know that the School Board has a lot on its plate, but a change in the District’s organizational structure may convince more voters that Lakota is adapting to the increased complexities of today’s educational environment.”
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By Be Bold
September 30, 2010 2:41 PM | Link to this
Education’s a business so let’s organize it more like one using universities as a potential guide: Board of Trustees [Expand to seven to nine elected members; create Finance, Compensation committees]; President [All VP’s report to this position]; VP/Admin [Facilities, Nutrition & Health Services, HR, Transportation]; VP/Finance [All financial operations including IT]; VP/ Academic Affairs [Admissions, Academics, Special Services]; VP/Public Affairs & Outreach [Govt Relations from school perspective - not union’s, Media Relations & Marketing, Community/Corporate/Alumni Outreach, Lakota Endowment Funds creation]. The biggest change would come in creating chairs for each area of academic study under the VP/Academic Affairs position; i.e. Arts/Sciences; Fine Arts, Engineering/Computer Science, Athletics/Physical Health, etc. Teacher’s within the identified disciplines would be ranked amongst their peers district-wide and rewarded accordingly for it, unlike now. Principal positions would be eliminated an integrated into aforementioned leadership areas. Course offering would also include use of instructors, visiting teachers, outside professionals in key areas of business, science, etc and/or partnerships with health groups for one…all as needed just like universities. High school seniors pursuing educational degrees in college could also act as TA’s to Lakota teachers. Now, this is by no means perfect but we need to move far beyond the current status quo that unions so vehemently want to maintain to create an organization that places students need’s first.
By Arnie
September 30, 2010 5:41 PM | Link to this
I would make Bob the superintendent and Rich the Bull Whoooper would be my dean of discipline. Can’t get much better than that. I would fire all teachers and start all over and pay 8.50- 10.00 per hour. We will become the model for education throughout the country.
By Marie
September 30, 2010 6:35 PM | Link to this
Let Bob hire his whole family. Make it a family affair. Uncle Andy has to be one of the principals. Make sure he doesn’t get an assistant! HAVE TO SAVE MONEY!
By Bill
October 1, 2010 11:21 AM | Link to this
Dear Arnie, so you want the same people that work at Taco Bell and Burger King to teach our children? Then our children can grow up to be as ignorant as you.
By Bibsy
October 2, 2010 1:41 PM | Link to this
I think using Universities as a model might not be the best idea. College costs continue to skyrocket and they are top-heavy with administrators.
By QuarlJaidaFar
October 3, 2010 3:30 PM | Link to this
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By TYinjelay
October 6, 2010 12:50 AM | Link to this
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By TYinjelay
October 6, 2010 12:58 PM | Link to this
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By Mike
October 8, 2010 10:41 AM | Link to this
Mr. Hilty, Your paper might as well just come out and say they are Pro Levy and be done with it. You don’t like the facts given by the Anti-Levy faction so you disable comments, yet you don’t censor the personal attacks in this blog. We can see right thorugh you and those who think like you. It will be reflected in the vote tally in November.
By jackbo
November 5, 2010 10:44 AM | Link to this
they should to year round school divided into 4 quarters - january to march, april to june, july to september, and october to december; i do not know of any business that lets buildings sit idle for 3 months out of the year and pays the majority of its employees for working 9 out of 12 months; with year orund school you could month ball some buildings and save not only on energy cost but payroll as well - it is time for lakota to think outside the box, this is not the early 20th centry when kids had the summer off to help with the family farm - every building has air conditioning so the heat in the summer should not be a problem - take care