Page 10 - The EDGE Spring 2022

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
BY BRIAN MEE
BY BRIAN MEE
Rallying Around Our School Environment
e Essence of Leadership

Brian Mee

Mark Twain once said, “Really great people
Education facilities play an important part in fences with graffiti resistant paint and planted
make you feel that you too, can be great.” When
setting the tone for learning in our districts. rye grass in the interior of the campus. Within
elected as President to the Association of School

Business O cials International, I was charged
Throughout my career, I have seen the effect a year the schools looked like resorts. It was
with the task to come up with a theme for my
the physical school environment has on the amazing to see the change in the community’s
presidency. e theme I chose was something

attitudes and temperaments of the students, the view of their schools. They became owners of
I called, E3 Leadership. “If your actions inspire
others to dream more, learn more and become
staff, and even the community. We all try to their schools, and no one dared to mess with
more, you are a leader” is quote by John Quincy

create a warm, welcoming atmosphere at home them. The graffiti and vandalism stopped and
Adams captures the essence of leadership and
because we want to spend our time in a place if there was a problem with any of these issues,
lays the foundation I would like to focus on
this year as I share some of the views from my
that makes us feel good. Why wouldn't we the parents took care of it.
messages as ASBO International President.
want the same for our students and staff, who
Leadership is one of the most important
often spend more time at school than they do Times are tough for school districts, and

roles for school business o cials – and it is also
one of the most challenging responsibilities. everyone is scrambling to ensure every dollar
at home?
When it comes to leadership in our jobs, it isn’t is earmarked for resources, programs, and
necessarily something we do, that is, lead. It’s
During my early years as school business services that promote student achievement.
who we are – leaders. E3 Leadership – Envision,
Engage and Empower are essential elements of
official, I worked for a district that was in Therefore, it's understandable that education
leadership.
the 95 percentile of poverty. The facilities leaders and community members may focus
Envision: One of the most important traits of
were in very bad shape and
all great leaders is the ability to have a clear vision
passing bonds to improve
for their organization — a distinct and vibrant
concept of what the organization should stand
the facilities were next
for and strive for now and in the future.
to impossible. We were
Engage: Effective leaders engage all the
cleaning graffiti off the High
Safe
stakeholders through collaboration and soliciting
their input, considering their ideas, and taking constructive Speaking of excellence, I would like to thank our
walls and repairing damage
Performance
criticism regarding the vision and the path toward its outstanding President Nate Bowler for providing a clear
caused by vandals on a daily Secure Education
realization. ey weigh the stakeholders’ interests and needs and positive vision for our recently completed 66th Annual

basis. Conference and Exposition – Learn from the Past, Go Forward
and align them with the vision to achieve the desired result.
Attractive
Empower: One of the most important skills of every to the Future, and of course a huge thank you is due to all
successful leader is the ability to empower others to make the speakers, vendors, volunteers and especially Ana, Audrey,
Knowing the positive impact
Healthy
decisions that support the organization’s vision. Effective Chuck and Je for providing the outstanding foundation on
of creating an environment
leaders grant others this decision-making authority, but they which we build this event. e keynote presentations by Josh
also provide the guidance, coaching, resources, and tools Tickell and Aron Ralston were informative and quite moving,
of success, we set out to
necessary to ensure the decisions support the work of the the professional development breakout sessions provided
change the perception of
organization. Success requires mutual trust and a clear vision. our members with a wealth of knowledge on a broad range of
the schools. We first hired a
Leadership also involves another E: Excellence. E ective topics, and the tribute to Carolyn Warner, the iconic Arizona
leaders create an environment that expects — even demands Superintendent of Public Instruction, brought back fond
grounds director from a local
excellence. In that environment everyone strives to produce memories for all of us.
golf course. We provided
a quality product. In our case, that quality product is students I welcome new members to our Board of Directors, and
the resources that were
who have the knowledge and skills to succeed in higher applaud AASBO members who were recognized at our Annual
needed to create the new
education, in the workforce and our society. If we are excellent Conference for their accomplishments.

in our supportive responsibilities, our education sta can focus Finally – a reminder. Our rst bimonthly meeting of the new
appearance. We painted the

on their responsibilities. school year is September 11 at EVIT. You’re invited!
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10 THE EDGE SPRING 2022
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