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Home > Blogs > Lakota Schools News and Issues > Archives > 2010 > September > 30
Thursday, September 30, 2010
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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