District Administration

What K-12 Leaders Can Learn from Alternative Delivery Construction Projects

Over the years, Director of Purchasing Gary Kerbow has been tasked with daunting construction projects when helping Hurst Euless Bedford ISD expand. Once, the board of trustees needed a recently acquired building up and running as quickly as possible, but copper thieves had looted the entire infrastructure, requiring extensive rewiring. Another time, Gary had to determine the full scope of repairs when creating offices for new management staff in an existing warehouse space. Most construction veterans would consider these requests near impossible, and they would be if Gary didn’t have certain procedures and tools in place. In this podcast, Gary will speak about the lessons he’s learned from these and other projects at a number of school districts in North Texas. Key Takeaways: o What superintendents need to know when assigning similar time-sensitive tasks o Best practices for vetting vendors to ensure difficult projects are completed on time o When procurement directors need to reconsider where and how they procure critical parts o How staffing levels and needs impact renovation/construction projects o How to streamline construction projects through collaboration and communication o Ways to innovate the scope of work for all contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers Speakers Gary Kerbow, Director of Purchasing, Hurst Euless Bedford ISD 817-399-2036 garykerbow@hebisd.edu Will Leisure, Account Manager, Gordian w.leisure@gordian.com 817-964-7441 RESOURCES K12 Contact: K12Team@gordian.com https://www.gordian.com/solutions/industry/k-12/ [https://www.gordian.com/solutions/industry/k-12/]

How Spring Grove Area School District is Empowering Educators

Many districts are challenged by outdated, costly and inefficient processes when it comes to the purchasing and procurement of instructional resources, which can frustrate teachers and staff and create significant waste. In this podcast, the recently retired superintendent of the Spring Grove Area School District (Penn.) will discuss how the district found ways to better support teachers and staff with the educational resources they needed, which had a direct impact on student academic outcomes, while reducing costs and improving visibility and efficiency. Speakers: Dr. George Ioannidis Superintendent (Retired) Spring Grove Area School District (Penn.) Brett Tuson Director of Education Amazon Business business.amazon.com/education

Assessing your MTSS Implementation for Effectiveness and Equity

In this episode, experts discuss the effectiveness of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in schools, covering equity promotion, learning gaps, and the importance of various instructional strategies. Dr. Robert Arzawicki of Renaissance Learning highlights the role of foundational literacy in educational success, while Farah Asaraj from the Council of the Great City Schools stresses the need for systemic, equitable MTSS practices to aid all students, especially multilingual learners and those with disabilities. The conversation underscores the broadening scope of MTSS to encompass behavioral and emotional support and the push for culturally responsive assessments. With a growing trend towards MTSS adoption for equitable student outcomes, listeners are directed to resources from state guidelines, Renaissance Learning, and the Council of the Great City Schools for further exploration, positioning the podcast as a vital tool for enhancing MTSS strategies and fostering educational change.

District Administration: The Changing Face of School Security

In this episode, host Gabrielle engages with Paul Tim, Director of Education Safety at Allegiant. Drawing from his extensive experience, Paul discusses the dynamic world of school security. He highlights the pivotal role of industry associations like PASS and NASRO in establishing guidelines and best practices for school safety. Paul emphasizes communication systems and access control as key components of security, exploring the potential of artificial intelligence. The conversation underscores the importance of collaboration with students, parents, and the community. Discover lessons learned from past incidents and the need for a comprehensive security approach. Join us for this insightful episode and learn how to create safer learning environments.

Reflecting on Resilience: Cultivating a Culture of Belonging and Balance

Explore compelling instances of educational leadership that focus on creating a sense of belonging and facilitating growth, nurturing a positive school culture, and effectively integrating technology while maintaining a human touch. Dr. Tim Hudson, an experienced educator and Chief Learning Officer at Discovery Education, leads the conversation, providing valuable insights for school and district leaders. Join us for an engaging exploration of the dynamic relationship between technology and education, as we equip learners for the future by bridging classrooms with the realities of today.