Class Reflection

In reflection on the course that was just completed, it was a good way to start the journey in obtaining the licensure for superintendent. As a building administrator, I tend to get focused on what my key responsibilities are for my building and students. When times get busy in my life, I tend to focus on what is important to me and may lose some perspective of the big picture. This class allowed for me to take that step back to look at and understand how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together to support everyone within the school community.

As a superintendent working with the school board, it is wise to link to the community and encourage their engagement. Beginning with community engagement and then wrap other areas on the outside of this allows for the community to support and get behind the efforts of the school district. If the community knows that they have input or ownership, they will be more likely to support with votes and be happy with where their tax dollars are going.  Start by tapping into what the community wants and align what the community wants within the strategic plan.

One concept that kept being repeated in class is that "Excellence in the classroom begins with excellence in the board room." What this quote means to me is that if a school district is going to be successful, provide and nurture it's staff and students, along with excelling academically it will take a strong, cohesive unit of leaders that are in support of the schools and want what is best for kids and their employees. An idea that rang throughout the class was in order for this to happen, a governance structure or set order of business needs to be in place with defined roles and responsibilities. Having such a structure in place with defined roles will help the district run more smoothly along with a focus on the community’s values.

The structure allows for accountability toward those that have the most impact on student learning. It was said in class that, "You can’t have accountability without having authority."  A governance structure allows for the delegation of responsibility within fences. The executive limitations within such a structure provides clearly spelled out responsibilities for who is responsible for what.

In my opinion, in order for a school district to be effective, the framework of board governance should have a district vision/purpose that is supported and created by the community with will help lead to student and teacher performance.  To me, these should dovetail each other and work toward a the ultimate goal with is helping students to be career and college ready.  Each area is like the leg to a three-legged stool, each one is needed for support, if one is broken, then the system will not work. 

Superintendent Interview and Reflection

Interview of Dr. Robert Knadle ~ Viroqua Area Schools Superintendent

This past week I was able to spend some time to sit down and talk to Dr. Robert Knadle, Superintendent of Viroqua Area School District.  It was a good opportunity to discuss and understand his position within the district and allowed for myself some insight not only on what his daily/monthly duties , but also to provide some insight on the superintendency. 

            While interviewing Dr. Knadle, I categorized his monthly checklist of items.  Items that focuses his work on a monthly basis falls into work with the school board, work with district level administrators and other district managers, work/obligations within the community, district staff members, communications with outside agencies, and seasonal items.  Each area has its own importance, and each area feeling like their time is more valuable than others.

            Dr. Knadle stated that he pays particular and special attention to the school board and making sure that they are constantly and consistently being communicated with.  Dr. Knadle has weekly meetings with the board president.  For the most part, these are brief meetings that keeps the president aware of what has happened or is happening within the district, and as the board meeting approaches, these meetings extend to a couple of hours and focuses on agenda items and background going into the meeting.  Throughout the month, he also meets with other board members, mainly committee chairs leading into their monthly meetings.  Bob also works to prepare for board meetings with documentation and data to back up items that are on the agenda, let alone the committee meetings that regularly take place prior to the monthly board meetings.

            Every month, and on  a weekly basis, Dr. Knadle addresses building administration and district managers.  In Viroqua, we have weekly administrative meetings to go through agenda items and focusing on staff development.  These meetings usually take a couple of hours on Wednesday mornings.  In a district the size of Viroqua, these meetings assist to ensure that all staff are receiving as consistent of a message as possible.  Meeting with other managers of the district such as transportation, technology, custodial, business, pupil services, and food services. Bob stated that out of these managers, the business, transportation, and pupil services receive the majority of attention because of the importance of these positions. 

            Working with and communication with the community is also an important portion of Dr. Knadle’s monthly duties.  He makes it a point to speak with members of the community on a daily basis and answer community needs.  He does this through visibility.  He regularly meets and greets parents when they come to drop their child off at school while I am assisting and greeting students as they get off of the school bus.   Bob states how important this community/parent communication is for him.  As part of his duties, Bob has commitments within the community by serving on the Rotary Club, the library board, the Chamber of Commerce, and he is also a board member for Vernon Memorial Hospital.  Bob stated how important it is for him to communicate and work with agencies within the community.  He stated that someday, he will be needing something, and having the support of the community and its agencies is priceless. 

            The three above areas consume a majority of the time that Dr. Knadle plans for throughout a month, but there are also many other items that “pop” up and require time and attention.  Some of these items include, but are not limited to meeting with new hires, teacher concerns, and seasonal items.  When I inquired about seasonal items, this began a discussion on the many sleepless nights and early mornings when looking into weather related decisions and safety of students and staff.  The other seasonal work that consumes his time is working with the business department to work with auditors and being able to answer any questions that they may have.  Another season item that is important to the district and the school board is revising policy using the Neola services.   The school board along with Dr. Knadle review policy yearly and use the services of Neola to assist with this.

            Reflecting on Dr. Knadle’s leadership style in accordance with the Situational Leadership Model, I see Dr. Knadles leadership varying depending on the groups that he works with.  In relation to the administrative team, Dr. Knadle is a delegating leader.  He knows that his administrative team is committed to their work with the students and staff along with a high level of competence.  He is aware that his leaders are committed and work hard to achieve excellence.  As a team, we all compliment each other nicely, which also makes Dr. Knadle’s job easier. 

            Using the Blake and Mouton Model, I see Dr. Knadle as Middle Management (7,7), falling between Middle of the Road and Team Management.  He is a very fair man, however very firm on many of his decisions or beliefs.   Even though he may be firm, he still allows time for discussion around topics and he is always willing to listen to learn more about an issue.  The items that leaders need to be firm upon in his position, he adheres to policy and does not waiver from that.  In my three years working with him, he is fair but wants explanation and supporting data prior to giving any approval.