Page 10 - AASBO EDGE Fall 2023 WEB

BUSINESS STRATEGY

BY FRANCIE WOLFE-BAUMANN
A Succession Plan, More Than a Success Story

Francie Wolfe-Baumann

The Importance of Succession Planning "Just remember, if you wait until
Succession planning typically refers to a business someone leaves your district to
strategy used to pass leadership roles down to
another employee that allows the operations to start planning, it’s too late."
continue to run smoothly after people move on to
new opportunities or retire. However, succession Succession planning is all about the preparation
planning is not just for management level and it is NOT based on pre-selection. Everyone
employees. This is an excellent way for districts to who was a part of the succession plan had to do
ensure that they are fully prepared to promote and their part to prepare themselves for their next roles.
advance all employees — not just those who are For each role and individual, this was different.
at the management or executive levels. The reality For me, it was about pushing myself outside my
is that most school districts don’t have formal comfort zone. This included items like being more
succession planning tools. This should not stop involved with AASBO, running for an AASBO
you from considering who on your team has the elected position and teaching a full-day AASBO
drive and/or skill set to build on for the next step class. For our new Accounting Analyst, it was
in their career. about exposing herself to other areas of knowledge
beyond her Accounts Receivable Tech position to
Our Succession Planning Experience become an Accountant, Accounting Specialist for
I will say that very recently the informal succession CTE and now the Accounting Analyst. Everyone’s
plan for the Dysart Finance Department was path was unique to them but still afforded the
realized. Dysart has always been supportive of opportunity to take steps forward. Sometimes
professional development opportunities for all it’s about finding the willing staff and becoming
Finance staff. We have a long-standing history creative on how you can develop them.
for our technician (tech) and accountant positions
moving up within the district and not always just Implementing Succession Planning
in Finance. We recently had an Accounts Payable Do you have that willing staff in place? While a
Tech move to an Accountant position and an succession plan identifies future staffing needs
Accounts Receivable Tech move to a Payroll and and the people with the skills and potential to
Benefits Specialist position. While this had been a perform in these future roles, developing them to
common occurrence, there had never been a shift be successful will take time. Not all members of
like this – one piece of the puzzle moved to another your staff are interested in the next role or position.
district and from there the top positions in Finance These individuals are usually the rock in that area
and Accounting shifted. The succession plan and they have the role of ensuring consistency.
involved preparation. It didn’t happen overnight Every team member is valuable and has their role
and certainly was in place before anyone gave their to play and I want to be sure to honor that.
notice to leave the district.
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10 THE EDGE FALL 2023