Together, we can get things done

“Only by rediscovering what it means to commit ourselves to acts of service will…demands be met. Each of us needs to feel the organization is ours to create if any shift is to take place in how customers are served, students are taught, patients are healed.” (Block, 1993, p. 21).

I acknowledge the fact that I am serving in this capacity for a short period of time. Regardless of how long or short that period is, given all that has transpired in the West Bonner County School District 83, the last eighteen months, I am committed to doing my very best in all I do.

The continued development of my belief in the abilities of others to create a school community is the basis for my work. This development needs to be continual as the dynamics of life constantly put us in contact with different people and experiences. What I choose to do with these experiences further develops me as someone who cares enough to find the value in all those I work with and for, whether they are student, parent, trustee, staff or patron. Therefore, the active pursuit of finding, sharing and celebrating the value of others allows us to realize our own level of importance, gain confidence in ourselves and those around us, and ultimately make a sincere commitment to service. This commitment to service must be demonstrated by a willingness to be accountable to some larger body than us – the education of our children.

My leadership style is one of involvement from all levels. “When the governance structure is planned thoughtfully and with consideration for all stakeholders, the school can enjoy an extraordinary level of commitment from all participants. (Page, 1996).” Each person needs to be allowed to join in defining the purpose and deciding what kind of community they wish our school to become. By allowing teachers, students, parents, trustees and patrons to say, “You do it, you are the superintendent”, goes against the very essence of a community working together for a common goal.

The realization that those involved must be willing to accept responsibility for the success and failures of their decisions is crucial. If there is to be a balance of power, people must act on their own choices. Acts of compliance do not serve those around the larger community nor do acts of dominance. But if a choice is made to travel down a certain path, acceptance must be our walking stick. I believe the involvement of everyone in and around the school must occur with partnership in mind. Partnership allows for free-flowing communication, whether it be in the sharing of information or the evaluation of how a certain plan is progressing.

I believe that a school community, and the community at large filled with mutual respect and the willingness to share responsibility has the potential to be a great source from which our students can learn. We must be mindful that if we want to offer our children a sound education and that they will ultimately demonstrate high moral behavior towards themselves and those around them, we all must see the need to help each other uphold common expectations and demonstrate this to our students. If the entire school, and community at large is not committed to upholding these common expectations, then a feeling of community, fairness and mutual respect will never be attained.

As I venture down the next 90 days, there are several issues that have varying degrees of compliance requirements associated with them including, fiduciary, statutory, and district policy issues identified by our board, the State Board of Education, and the State Department of Education, as well as by our own teachers, and administrators. We will also be adjusting to a new make-up of the board of trustees. That said, we have begun tackling them one by one.

It is quite a bit and I will not guarantee how much the community, teachers, administrators, board and I can complete in the time I have been given. My goals are to work closely with the district office personnel, bolster our teachers, staff and administrators while working through the components of the five-year plan, addressing the issues listed above, and making sure instruction is on track for success. I also intend on working with all constituents to the best of my ability so that the division in our community begins to heal. West Bonner is a special place and it is time to come together and get things done. Our children are depending on the adults involved to make it happen.

As far as the future goes we will see.

Joseph Kren is the interim superintendent of the West Bonner County School District.