USD 257 board members spent Monday evening making crystal clear to the new superintendent of schools, Brian Pekarek, what they expect of him as he takes the reins of the Iola area schools.
When a new superintendent is hired by a Kansas school district, like USD 257 hiring Pekarek in February, that district’s board is given an opportunity to have a goal setting session with a representative from the Kansas Association of School Districts.
“We have to know where we’re going tonight. What do you expect of (Pekarek) and what does he need to do?” Bill Majors, assistant executive director for KASD, asked the board members.
Majors said it’s important for every business, organization as well as government agency to reevaluate its vision and methods from time to time.
“With Craig (Neuenswander) leaving, (USD 257) is at a juncture now where you can go up or you can go down,” he said, referring broadly to the board’s progression.
To take the first step in articulating what each board member envisions for the district and Pekarek, all seven board members wrote down a list of expectations. After all 15 expectations were revealed, each board member voted for what they thought were the four most important.
THE USD 257 board’s three most important expectations of Pekarek:
•Management of the budget
The entire board was in agreement that first and foremost, Pekarek should strive to be the best steward of the tax-payer and the district’s money.
“Everyone is concerned with money,” said Board of Education member Doug Dunlap, emphasizing how important it is that everyone involved is on the same page.
Majors also stressed budget concerns, adding “it’s going to get tougher, unfortunately.”
•Lead the district
Majors said the best way a superintendent can illustrate positive leadership is by improving the instruction of all students enrolled in the district.
That’s the entire reason anybody gets involved in education to begin with, said BOE member Mark Burris.
“We are here for one reason, and that’s for the students of USD 257, period. Every decision we make should be based on providing that student with the best that we can,” he said.
•Develop an excellent line of communication with teachers.
The board stressed open communication with all parts of the district is necessary to steer the ship.
“(Pekarek) can work through the administrators but if we’re going to make this thing work, going where we’re headed, we better have everybody pulling the same direction,” said board president Tony Leavitt .
Pekarek, who was present at the meeting, said he wasn’t surprised by any of the suggested expectations. However, it is beneficial to know who expects what, he said.
“I knew the budget would be the biggest one so nothing really hit me that hard,” he said. “Just having all the board in the same room and talking about what their expectations are for me is huge.”
Pekarek said he also will use the information from the meeting to upgrade the board’s existing strategic goals, and potentially adopt them at the July 25 board meeting.
