Ohio School Boards Association Sample Treasurer’s Performance Appraisal System This treasurer’s performance appraisal system will serve several purposes. Most importantly, it will link the treasurer assessment to the district’s long-range plan by establishing a set of annual performance objectives for the treasurer. This performance appraisal system should facilitate communication and understanding between the board and treasurer, commend the treasurer for accomplishments and point out weaknesses, suggest ways for the treasurer to improve, and facilitate and document decisions made regarding the treasurer’s employment. A well-designed performance appraisal system requires the board and treasurer to cooperatively establish each year’s performance objectives at the beginning of the annual evaluation cycle (see Table 1). The performance objectives should be as specific and measurable as is practical. They will vary from year to year, depending on the district’s needs. The evaluation will consistently emphasize performance by placing the weight of the evaluation on how successfully the treasurer has met the pre-established performance objectives. Essential job functions, other responsibilities and professional characteristics are also evaluated, often by using a checklist approach. However, the performance objectives, themselves, and the board’s evaluation of the treasurer’s performance in meeting those objectives will largely appear in an essay format. The board and treasurer should meet at least once around mid-year to evaluate the treasurer’s progress. This evaluation will also afford the board an opportunity to amend the treasurer’s performance objectives. The final evaluation will be preceded by a pre-appraisal meeting at which the treasurer presents a detailed self-evaluation and responds to board members’ questions and concerns. Afterwards, each board member completes an individual evaluation, which are compiled by the board president or his/her designee. The board’s collective evaluation is then reviewed by the board prior to presenting it to the treasurer in executive session. The final evaluation meeting should occur at the end of the annual evaluation cycle. This meeting will be given over entirely to the evaluation, and all board members must attend. At this time the board will present its final evaluation to the treasurer. That evaluation should focus on how successfully the treasurer met the pre-established performance objectives. The evaluation should note both successes and failures, be moderate in tone, and offer suggestions for improvement. The board should invite the treasurer’s participation during this evaluation, and the treasurer will provide a written response within three weeks. That response will become part of the final evaluation. The board and treasurer will begin formulating performance objectives for the coming year within one month of the final evaluation. 1 Table 1 Treasurer Evaluation Cycle Month Activity Immediately (one time only) Adopt a board policy statement of treasurer evaluation. 1-2 (not necessary if already established) Develop treasurer’s job description, policy on board/treasurer responsibilities, at least tentative district plans. 1-2 Board and treasurer develop performance objectives. 4 Progress report and feedback. 6-7 Midyear review. 8-9 Progress report and feedback. 10-11 Treasurer prepares self-evaluation. 11 Treasurer presents self-evaluation to board at pre-appraisal meeting. 11-12 Board prepares final evaluation in executive session. 12 Board presents final evaluation to treasurer at appraisal meeting. 12 Treasurer writes reply to evaluation. 12-13 Board and treasurer begin developing performance objectives for the following year. 2 Ohio School Boards Association __________________________________School District Treasurer Performance Evaluation from ___________ to ___________ Name of Treasurer: __________________________________________________________________ I. Professional Characteristics: Needs Improvement Meets or exceeds (see comments below) expectations Leadership Creates a feeling of unity and enthusiasm in district decisions and ideas are respected— encourages people to want to do their best. [ ] [ ] Honesty Can be relied upon to be straightforward and honest even under difficult circumstances. [ ] [ ] Trust Fair dealings with people create feelings of trust and belief. [ ] [ ] Responsible Follows through on all commitments, accepts responsibility for successes and failures--doesn’t blame others. [ ] [ ] Steadiness Quick thinking and reliable under stress or in an emergency. [ ] [ ] Respect Demonstrates consideration for and sincerity toward all district patrons, students, staff, and board members—is respected and regarded as a role model. [ ] [ ] Confidence Has confidence in his/her abilities, but is open to the thoughts and ideas of others. Gains confidence of public, staff, and students. [ ] [ ] Flexibility Adjusts to new situations and responds effectively to sudden changes in conditions. [ ] [ ] Cooperation Is able to work well with people who represent opposing views—is tolerant. Can mediate disputes. [ ] [ ] Innovation Finds creative ways to resolve difficult problems and is aware of new developments in the field of education. [ ] [ ] Decisive Assumes responsibility for taking a stand when necessary—uses a decision-making process that is [ ] [ ] 3 thorough and open to input. Needs Improvement Meets or exceeds (see comments below) expectations Responsive Thinks quickly, but avoids over reaction, responds to peoples’ concerns even when the answer is “no.” [ ] [ ] Judgment Uses common sense and good judgment in the course of routine and more serious matters. Can be relied upon for wise and thoughtful advice. [ ] [ ] Insightful Is alert and sensitive to issues and concerns before they become major problems. Sees the “big picture” while understanding the details. Anticipates outcome of decisions. [ ] [ ] Openness Willing to accept criticism and new ideas without defensiveness. [ ] [ ] Supportive Endorses and openly supports the policies, procedures, and philosophy of the Board and supports staff and students. [ ] [ ] Knowledgeable Understands school district management as well as educational programs. [ ] [ ] Enthusiastic Shows interest and enthusiasm in work and in people—demonstrates initiative and persistence in spite of setbacks. [ ] [ ] Comments: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 4 II. Essential Job Functions: Needs Improvement Meets or exceeds (see comments below) expectations Budget and Finance [ ] [ ] • can explain the state school budgeting process, the levy law, and other laws and regulations related to budgeting • can explain how to develop and implement budgeting and accounting control procedures • can describe ways to restore financial stability to a district with financial problems • can review a budget printout and note irregularities and areas of potential future concern • can describe how to supervise purchasing, payroll, and other fiscal matters • can forecast revenue shortfalls and enrollment changes • can speak knowledgeably on general aspects of school district budgeting — knows where to go for advise and assistance • can explain how to successfully campaign for levy or bond issues Decision Making Skills [ ] [ ] • clearly understands role of board, superintendent, and treasurer in decision-making process • has established an effective management team, able to coordinate decision making with other administrators • recognizes situations that call for independent judgment and quick thinking — prefers sole responsibility for Decision-making • can describe decision in which the board should participate — provides evidence of a decision-making style that places emphasis on board involvement • knows from experience how authority and responsibility can be effectively delegated — yet oversight is retained • can integrate statistical data into the decision making process Board/Treasurer/Superintendent Relations [ ] [ ] • works effectively with the board president and superintendent between meetings • knows the difference between policy and administration in specific areas • has a variety of ways to keep the board informed • can outline a program for board development • has effective ways to cut back on length of board meetings and board involvement on routine matters • can outline a program of board/district long-range financial planning • demonstrates willingness to assume the lead in decision making while keeping the board informed • provides options and recommendations, but accepts board directives • can motivate the board to maintain its leadership role as body responsible for education in the community Operations, Support Services and Facilities [ ] [ ] • knows the steps involved in planning new or remodeled facilities and/or dealing with school construction • has managed an effective program for supervision of buildings and grounds maintenance • knows how to plan for energy conservation, asbestos removal and other facility programs • knows how to organize and operate an effective and efficient transportation program • knows the components of efficient food service programs • has managed the operation of a school plant • knows procedures for assessing and improving district operations in all support service areas 5 • can identify ways to establish cooperative programs for some support services Needs Improvement Meets or exceeds (see comments below) expectations Personnel Management [ ] • has demonstrated skills in supervising employees at all levels • has used a process for recruiting and selecting effective staff • has developed a program for staff evaluation and corrective action • can assist with contract negotiations for the district • knows the components of effective personnel policies, procedures, and practices • has experience developing and coordinating staff in-service programs [ ] Leadership Skills [ ] [ ] • uses effective process for achieving cooperation and consensus where these has been disagreement • uses effective ways to regain authority or control where management has lost influence • has experience motivating staff and students, bolstering morale and generating enthusiasm • has used innovative ways to solve problems without new resources—very creative • has effected change in spite of some reluctance on the part of staff • has experience reorganizing staff, revising procedures, and implementing policy changes Comments: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 6 III. Other Specific Duties and Responsibilities: Needs Improvement Meets or exceeds (see comments below) expectations ______________________________________________________ [ ] [ ] ______________________________________________________ [ ] [ ] ______________________________________________________ [ ] [ ] ______________________________________________________ [ ] [ ] ______________________________________________________ [ ] [ ] ______________________________________________________ [ ] [ ] ______________________________________________________ [ ] [ ] ______________________________________________________ [ ] [ ] ______________________________________________________ [ ] [ ] ______________________________________________________ [ ] [ ] ______________________________________________________ [ ] [ ] ______________________________________________________ [ ] [ ] Comments: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 7 IV. Evaluation of Treasurer in Attaining Established Performance Objectives As Set at the Last Evaluation Comments: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 8 V. Establishment of Performance Objectives For The Coming Year: District Goal 1: ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Treasurer Performance Objectives: 1.1_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 1.2_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 1.3_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ District Goal 2: ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Treasurer Performance Objectives: 2.1_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 2.2_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 2.3_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ District Goal 3: ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Treasurer Performance Objectives: 3.1_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 9 3.2_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 3.3_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ District Goal 4: ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Treasurer Performance Objectives: 4.1_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 4.2_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 4.3_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ District Goal 5: ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Treasurer Performance Objectives: 5.1_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 5.2_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 5.3_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ District Goal 6: ____________________________________________________________________________ 10 __________________________________________________________________________________________ Treasurer Performance Objectives: 6.1_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 6.2 _______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 6.3_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ District Goal 7: ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Treasurer Performance Objectives: 7.1_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 7.2_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 7.3_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ District Goal 8: ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 8.1_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 8.2_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 8.3_______________________________________________________________________________________ 11 __________________________________________________________________________________________ District Goal 9:_____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Treasurer Performance Objectives: 9.1_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 9.2_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 9.3_______________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 12 VI. Comments by Employee: Comments: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Date:_____________________________ Board Member_______________________________________ Date:_____________________________ Treasurer_______________________________________ (Signature of employee does not indicate approval or disapproval) 13