Leadership Sub-Committee
September 22, 2014
4:00 PM
Superintendent’s Conference Room
Present: Anne Engelberger , Anne Meczywor. Mary Sorrentino, Tim Lee (arrived at 4:25), David
Naseman, Debby Kain
Debby Kain called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM. She then opened discussion by explaining the
charge and task of the sub-committee and distributed a timeline of meeting items and possible
homework to achieve measurable outcomes for Leadership in a timely fashion. David Naseman
suggested that members bring forward any and all other knowledge pertaining to
leadership/communication, regardless if it was brought up in collected data or discussions. David also
suggested the subcommittee review the following questions from the June 23, 2014 document booklet:
8 on pp 29-35
17-20 pp 158-160
25-26 pp 179-180
30 pp 216-217
The discussion of current conditions as it pertains to the new leadership:
Anne E. said that Tim’s convocation was articulate, succinct, bulleted, and clear about objectives and he
seems to be following up, establishing trust. Debby added that he brought the entire staff together
using a collaborative game that was quick, focused and structured to pull people together who did not
know each other. Working together seems to be a theme.
Shared leadership is positive if there is a goal in mind. Continuity in leadership will be important. There
have been four superintendents in six years. We are in a transitional state. Tim didn’t want to focus on
discussing initiatives in the first days of school. He is establishing the theme of working together
collaboratively. He also wants to capitalize on the skills and talent of current staff districtwide.
As there is a new principal at elementary school, staff, students, parents and community members are
all getting to know her and become familiar with each other. Groundwork is being laid in working
relationships. This is the honeymoon phase and mutual trust will need to be established. Morris is well
structured in many ways. There has to be trust in the principal when she makes a hard decision.
Lenox Memorial Middle/High School – high turnover, retirements, new hires puts weaknesses on
display. There needs to be leadership among the staff. It’s fine to talk the talk but you have to walk the
walk, model for the entire school community.
Effective communication is as much of an issue as leadership; they are interconnected and it is a huge
part of the leadership document. There also is lots of information distributed but is it relevant? We need
quality over quantity. Do people read reams of paper and emails? Anne E. said that two-way
communication needs to take place and we have become over reliant on email. She said there needs to
be more face to face contact. How do parents want to communicate? Anne M. talked about the
difference between baby boomers and millennials and how they want to communicate in a way that is
relevant to them. Receptiveness on all sides should be fostered.
What’s the plan?! District? Buildings? Classrooms? Operations?
Positive morale and a joyous environment among staff and students filters to parents and to the
community.
A positive tone is set, with the focus on the students; Building leaders should follow suit. David asked
what kind of meetings happen at the schools? Mary S. listed several:
Elementary: Monthly staff, regular Admin meetings, but other meetings as well between grade levels,
SPED, support team, and Tim added data meetings. Anne E. added department meetings at the high
school, in addition to those already listed. She also said that open door policies and consistency can be
hampered by the high school rotating schedule – Nobody likes surprises and everyone wants to be on
the same page. Everyone needs to hear the same message.
What leadership qualities are needed at the high school to move it forward?
Stop the gossip, confidentiality, modeling behavior with the same parameters for administrators,
students and staff.
BRAINSTORMING LIST:
TAKE SAFE RISKS/SUPPORTED RISKS
RECEPTIVENESS
2 WAY COMMUNICATION *How do parents want their communications?
TRUST
CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP
SMOOTH TRANSITIONS
WALK THE WALK-MODELING
CLEAR MESSAGES
DITRIBUTED LEADERSHIP/KEY PEOPLE AND HOW TO ACCOMPLISH IT
TEACHER LEADERS/PEER LEADERS
POSITIVE ENERGY
WHAT’S THE PLAN??
*Homework assigned : What do we want to see in the ideal leadership in 2020? What is our Lenox
2020 Vision? Bring 1-3 possible outcomes to next meeting. We will list them all and see where there is
overlap and where ideas can be combined.
The motion to adjourn was made at 5:05 PM by David N. and seconded by Anne E. Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted by Anne M. and Debby Kain
Attachment: Charge and Task time line
Next meeting date: Tuesday, September 30, at 6 PM. at Town Hall, either Superintendent’s
conference room or the Selectmen’s room-TBD