By Mary Beth Rogers, ED.S., CFO, MSBO Board President, Executive Director of Business Services, Clarkston Community Schools
I humbly accepted my role as this year’s MSBO Board President at the annual conference, and I identified my three goals for the year. These goals are Generational Change, Mentoring and Practical Professional Development. Tim Raymer, an individual that I highly respect and admire, after presenting these goals at the Board retreat, emailed me the following: “You identified critical issues, probably the issues of our time, and are taking steps to address it. That defines leadership.” It is my number one priority as MSBO President to take on these critical issues and take steps to address them – that is my leadership to all of you.
An MSBO Board tradition is a yearly annual retreat. As President, I develop the agenda and guide the discussions at the retreat. The Board spent several hours on strategic planning addressing my three goals. My plan is to continue these discussions at our monthly Board meetings and to help us understand and be on the forefront of Generational Change, Mentoring and Practical Professional Development.
We are in a critical time in our industry. Districts are struggling with filling our vacant positions at all levels. We can’t find bus drivers, we can’t find custodians, we can’t find business office support staff, and we can’t find administrators. And with the added challenges of employee retirements and job changes, we just do not have the qualified individuals to fill our vacant positions. Also our positions over the past few years have become more complicated. Along with these struggles, we also as an industry are not adapting fast enough to accommodate “Generational Change”. The younger employees have different expectations. How can we evolve with the “new normal” in the workplace? What is the younger generation’s expectations and how can we attract them?
Not only do we need to be addressing Generational Change. We also need to have the new individuals taking over our positions equipped with the tools they need to be successful. Leading us into my number two goal and my passion – Mentoring. I know that informally and indirectly we do our best to help each other. I do not believe that is enough. I would like to see a more formalized mentoring program. What that looks like I am not sure but I want to spend this year trying to figure out what that does look like. When new Teachers are hired they are given a mentor for three years. Why do we not offer mentors for our new staff? I encourage everyone of you to take on one mentee – just imagine the difference you would make.
I am concerned about my District as I am preparing for retirement in a few years. It is important to me that I leave my District in a good position and that my predecessor is set up to be successful. Providing that individual with a mentor is one way. The professional development we provide is also important to equipping incoming new staff with the right tools. MSBO is creating additional professional development opportunities that provide hands on, practical training. Be on the outlook.
My next few monthly articles will dive more into each of these goals as they are the most critical issues we are facing right now. As your President, I ask you to hold me accountable. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any ideas. I am excited to see what comes out of our Board strategic planning and what evolves over the next year.
Other Articles in this Newsletter
- Celebrating 25 Years: MSBO Facilities & Operations Directors Conference
- Have You Ever Thought of Running for the MSBO Board?
- Have You Ever Thought of Running for the MSBO Board?
- ISD Group Solutions
- School Bus Purchasing Made Easy
- School Finance Services Committee Up North Workshop
- Starting That New Job – Kevin Kolb
- Take advantage of Great Professional Development
- Welcome New Members