Let the Committee Decide

Case Study:
Monica Rogich
Laurie Smith
Jacinta Vilas
Vanessa Vitiello

The City of Fullmer

in a Mid-Atlantic State
scenic beauty
opposed industrial development
increased taxes
attracted retirees
modest real estate costs
mild climate
new hospital

Working the Case

The Oxford County School District (OCSD)

Dr. Rudy Quillen- new superintendent

12 yrs. of administrative experience
Bob Andrevet- assistant superintendent for curriculum
14 years in current position
Pamela Davis- assistant superintendent for business management
10 years in current position (formerly a principal in the district)
Central Issue
schools had autonomous control of activity funds
Dr. Davis recommended that activity funds be place under district control
was concerned with mismanagement of funds
principals strongly opposed her recommendation
former superintendent rejected her recommendation
too many unanswered questions
was retiring soon and felt his successor should address the matter

ELCC Standard:3.0

The Plan
Dr. Davis presented Dr. Quillen with a plan that has 3 notable changes:
Expenditures would require three signatures:
school principal
assistant superintendent for instruction
assistant superintendent for business management
Accounting activities would be completed by district personnel in
compliance with standard accounting procedures.
There will be alternating annual audits between state and district
business offices.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Dr. Quillen consulted with attorneys, principals and other district administrators at a
monthly administrative council meeting
asked for comments and feedback before the next meeting
7 administrators replied- all opposed the plan
concerned with loss of principal autonomy and authority
no known problems with current arrangement
Dr. Quillen decided to appoint an ad hoc committee to study the issue before
presenting it to the school board
members:
the districts director of federal programs (chairperson)
an elementary and a high school teacher
a parent/accountant
a parent/attorney
Peripheral issues: Assistant Superintendents (non-voting advisors) concerned with
teachers being influenced by opposing principals
setting a dangerous precedent with lack of administrative representation

Engaging Aspects

amount of administrators involved in the preliminary

decision making process
asst. superintendent is undermining the principal's
authority
culture and climate of the school district could be
negatively impacted
project acquired symbolic importance

Expand the Case

What could have been done differently:
Wait to initiate committee following year
Add principals to the committee
they should have been represented initially
What should be done next:
Meet and make a decision on what changes, if any,
should be made
Present the plan to the Board of Education

This case could be taking place in a district where the

misappropriation of funds had actually occurred.

Context
PrincipalsDifferent
may have been
divided:
o some may no longer want financial responsibility
o some may feel that the guilty principal should be the

only one penalized

Beyond the Case

Similar current situations:
Cami Anderson did the opposite of what this
superintendent is trying to do
In recent history, the government has not spoken
favorably about educators
o principals have lost authority
o teachers credentials, and licenses are being
scrutinized
o schools are losing funding

Only people --like

you-- can recognize
that change works
only if it is
accompanied by
transition.
Bridges, William.(2009). Managing Transitions:
Making the Most of Change (3rd edition., pp 9-10).
PA: De Capo Press.