Page 6 - AASBO EDGE 2020 WINTER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
leadership
BY BRIAN MEE

Supporting Those Who Support Education

Brian Mee

When we talk to our stakeholders about the support personnel with fewer resources while maintaining the same quality.
in our districts, I worry that we get caught up in the term
“support” and don’t fully understand the important role On our mission to maximize every dollar to help students
we play in providing a quality education for the district’s succeed and ensure that allocated resources are balanced
students. In fact, we are crucial to the success of our districts between instruction and operations, we must engage all
as we look for ways to streamline our processes and stretch members of our support staff in the strategic decision
our tighter budgets. So, as district leaders, it’s incumbent on making process. Regardless of our areas of expertise, we
us to ensure that all our support staff have the tools they play a key role in helping the district fulfi ll its responsibility
need to do their jobs effectively. The more effectively we do to its students. Nobody knows an area as well as those who
our jobs, the more invisible we become and thus enabling experience its inner workings on a daily basis. As support
those we support, the ability to fulfi ll their responsibilities staff, we are those people. Districts must look to us for
and freeing them up to focus on the primary purpose of our information and guidance, leverage our knowledge and
districts – the education of our students. experience, listen to and respect our perspective, and engage
us in the work of fulfi lling the mission of the district. And we
E3 Leadership and Support Services must be recognized for our contributions. Too often, support
As district leaders, we must be the ones to envision the staff is overlooked and under-appreciated for the hard work
mission and direction of our support services. We must done on a day-to-day basis. Like all organizations, school
engage our personnel in this vision and then empower them districts rely on the efforts of every individual.
with the tools and resources to accomplish their goals and
the goals of the district. Ronald Reagan once said, “Surround yourself with the best
people you can fi nd, delegate authority, and don’t interfere
as long as the policy you’ve decided upon is being carried
out.” Empowering support staff to make decisions, to move
forward with confi dence and encouragement, and to take
responsibility for ensuring the success of the operation is
vital to success.

Another critical element of success in support services is
professional development. As a district leader, you should
ensure all staff members have opportunities to grow
professionally and personally. As their knowledge increases
and their own leadership skills improve, the district will
become that much stronger.

Effective also leaders create a climate of excellence that
permeates the organization. Because we always consider the
When economic times get tough, support services are “big picture,” we ensure no single area is neglected in favor
always the fi rst area targeted for elimination or reductions. of another.
This reality has forced us to rethink, to re-envision how we
do business. School business offi cials must take the lead and So, don’t underestimate the importance of who you are
look at streamlining operations and use new technologies as a support staff member and understand that we are all
to become more effi cient in accomplishing the same tasks a part of the district’s life blood.

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6 THE EDGE WINTER 2020
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