Putnam County Charter School Governance Training

1. Putnam County Charter School Governance Training Consensus Building/School Calendar Presenters Dr. Susan Usry & Beth Bacon Putnam County Charter System

2. Agenda Discussion of Consensus Building Discussion of building a School Calendar Putnam County Charter System

3. Consensus Building Consensus means overwhelming agreement. And is the product of a good-faith effort to meet the interests of all stakeholders. The key indicator of whether or not a consensus has been reached is that everyone agrees they can live with the final proposal; that is, after every effort has been made to meet any outstanding interests. Putnam County Charter System

4. Importance of Census Building • Problems exist that affect diverse groups of people with different interests. • Difficult and ineffective for organizations to try to solve controversial problems on their own. • Offers individuals and organizations the opportunity to collaborate on solving complex problems in ways that are acceptable to all. • Takes time, but develops solutions that hold up through time. • Stakeholders always possess a wide range of understandings or perceptions of a problem. Putnam County Charter System

5. Stages of Consensus Building • Identifying and clarifying the objective • Gathering information • Establishing a time line • Discussing options • Making a decision • Discussion with stakeholders for agreement • Approving decision • Implementing plan • Monitoring implementation • Evaluation (ongoing) • Revisions or develop an exit plan Putnam County Charter System

6. Benefits of Consensus Building • Increases the quality of solutions, because solutions are based on a comprehensive analysis of the problem • Guarantees that all stakeholders’ interests will be protected • Participation in the problem-solving process will also enhance acceptance of the solution and willingness to implement it • Stakeholders can develop mechanisms for dealing with related problems in the future Putnam County Charter System

7. Guidelines for Reaching Consensus • Present position and listen • Not a win lose discussion • Distinguish between objection and confusion • Don’t avoid conflicts • Differences are natural and expected • Involves discussion and accountability of view points • Empowering versus overpowering • Think before you speak • Listen before you object Putnam County Charter System

8. Building a School Calendar • Things to know and consider • Holidays • State Assessment Dates • State Guidelines • Stakeholders Preferences • Research concerning Student Achievement and Instructional Time • Things to think about • Year round school • Intercessions • Move on when ready • Time to begin and end the school day • Four-day week • Trimesters Putnam County Charter System

9. Discussion Identify the sacred cows – What change in the school calendar do you think would be unacceptable by the stakeholders? What change in the school calendar might have an impact on student achievement both positively and negatively? What key change would you like to see in the school calendar? Putnam County Charter System