As we are well into January and our school year is passing by, many are to preparing for the second semester and unbelievably scheduling for next year. Additionally, the calendar tells us the month is halfway gone and some of us are focused on keeping a resolution or two alive. As leaders, your work has never been more important. You are a role model and a visionary, somedays you are even supposed to be a magician, so whatever resolution you have given yourself, it is no surprise you are always making more tough decisions, than fun ones- give yourself a little grace. You are coaching people to achieve their full potential so that they will help you lift the organization to the desired outcomes and vision. Through all the twists and turns, nothing matters more than your ability to establish a culture of trust and high integrity, remember always "Do What You Say You Are Going To Do". Integrity and trust are earned one day at a time and will help you as a leader in addition to your resolution, so stay focused and others are watching in real time. Good Luck- You Are Doing Incredible Work.

Leaders at all levels know their work matters. The decisions you are making today are impacting lives; the ones in front of you and the ones you cannot see, the little people and experienced ones for years to come. The effort and time you endlessly give to your role as a leader to knock down the hurdles, smooth the bumps and open the doors are allowing others to perform miracles with children, staff, and parents. Leadership Matters. We also know you as the Superintendent, Building Leader, and Board of Education cannot do it alone, it always takes a team. A strong committed Governance Team who is willing to always put children first and do the right things before the easy things at the Board Table and the Cabinet Table make the difference everyday for children in their district.

As many districts transition Board of Education members in the next month, parts this issue will focus on Leadership as is pertains to the Governance Team and working to operate as one collaborative body united for the benefit of children.

The Michigan Leadership Institute is here to help focus on Leadership at all levels for the success of the Governance Team.

Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) is a Michigan-based LEADERSHIP consulting organization committed to serving K-12 school districts and public institutions throughout Michigan. Michigan Leadership Institute is committed to supporting the success of public education by developing, deploying and supporting outstanding executive leadership.

We specialize in supporting the success of the Superintendent and Board of Education in functioning successfully as a collaborative Governance Team and offer several Board Workshops and specialized or customized trainings to assist your Board of Education in serving as a high functioning cohesive board. You can work with any of our Regional Presidents, consultants or Lisa Hagel to discuss these Board Governance trainings.

School Leaders are learners… we as leaders must continue to teach our Boards how to be the Best Board Members they can be. We at MLI are happy to help you in this journey.

In January many districts are welcoming new School Board members to their Board of Education. When you have a new Board Member, you have a new board and the opportunity to teach boardmanship and share the pride and culture or your district with your new member(s) through a structured Orientation Process is critical.

If you do not have a formalized orientation process prepared to welcome your new Board Member(s) into the district, you should begin to prepare now for January.

This may include a multitude of items such as building relationships with you as superintendent, understanding your role and duties, their role and duties as well as seeing that in writing, understanding Board Policy, emergency procedures, communications, building procedures, what you actually do during the day/month, how the board operates, Robert’s Rules of Order, Open Meetings Act, board packets, meeting protocols, CBA classes, potentially meeting Central Office Administrators etc.

One of our greatest responsibilities is to help our Board Members learn how to be a good Board TEAM Member and transition a professional Board Culture to them.

If we at MLI can assist or support you with this Board Orientation, please do not hesitate to contact a Regional President.

Congratulations to “The Academy Graduates” for their outstanding work and connections this year in the 2023 cohort. We are so proud of the growth and commitment they have demonstrated to the children of Michigan and their own future as a district leader. If you are a mentor of one of these incredible leaders, THANK-YOU for your part of this professional journey. Keep encouraging and supporting these great leaders.

INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP * CAPITAL/FACILITY PLANNING * STRATEGIC PLANNING

ADMINISTRATIVE SEARCHES

BOND SUPPORT

MENTORING COACHING

CUSTOMIZED PROJECTS

* Forest Hill Public Schools- Superintendent

* Byron Area Schools- Superintendent

* Evart Public Schools - Superintendent

* Dowagiac Union - Superintendent

*** More Vacancies To Be Announced Soon

We are ready to help you find your next leadership opportunity to impact a community of students, families and staff. Please continue to watch the MLI website at :http://www.mileader.org for vacancies.

Additionally, we can assist you in recruiting and replacing all key positions in your district as you focus on other important duties. Please do not hesitate to reach out for support.

(810) 591-3251 , (810) 516-9368 or mli@geneseeisd.org

Strategic Planning- Capital Planning- Bond Work- Governance Work- Instruction/Curriculum and Assessment Support- Bargaining- Board Training- Administrative Team Training- One on One Mentoring for Administrators and Superintendents, Superintendent Searches and Administrative Searches, Customized projects of all types.

Ms. Sheila Alles, Former Interim State Superintendent, Deputy State Superintendent, Curriculum Specialist Livonia Public Schools : Serving Districts with MLI as a Curriculum & Instructional Specialist, Strategic Planning

Sheilaalles1@gmail.com

Dr. Randy Liepa, Former Superintendent Wayne RESA and Livonia Public Schools Serving Districts with MLI in Millage, Bond Support , Searches, and Strategic Planning liepar246@gmail.com

Dr. Keely Mounger, Former Superintendent at Westwood Heights, and Coleman, Former Deputy Superintendent for Human Resources and Operations Serving Districts with MLI in Capital and Facility Planning, Negotiations, Searches kmoungermli@geneseeisd.org

Mr. Clarence Garner, Former Superintendent Grand Blanc Schools Serving Districts with MLI in Strategic Planning Specialist cgarnermli@geneseeisd.org

Mrs.Teresa Weatherall Neal, Former Superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools Serving Districts with MLI in Instructional Coach, Searches, & Culture Coaching Leadgr616@gmail.com

Mr. David Burt, Former Operations and Maintenance Director Serving Districts with MLI in Capital and Facility Planning dburt@geneseeisd.org

Dr. Debbie McFalone, Leadership Consultant Serving Districts with MLI in Professional Development in Leadership and Instructional Learning making meaningful and powerful change

debbiemcfalone@gmail.com

Dr. William Webber, Former Superintendent South Redford School District, Serving Districts with MLI in Human Resources, Finance, and Negotiations Jbweber927@sbcglobal.net

Mr. Tom Tenbrink, Former Superintendent Jenison Public Schools, Serving Districts with MLI in Searches, Culture Building, and Bond Support tomtenbrink1953@gmail.com

Mr. Andrew Ingall, Former Superintedent Grand Haven Public Schools, Serving Districts with MLI in Searches, Strategic Planning, Culture Building aingallmli@gmail.com

*Regional Presidents- Executive Searches, District Support

*Dave Killips Former Superintendent Chelsea Schools Southwest Michigan dkkillips@gmail.com

*John Silveri Former Superintendent Waterford Schools S. E. Michigan jsilverimli@gmail.com

*Tim Stein Former Superintendent Flushing Schools Cen/East Mi. tsteinmli@geneseeisd.org

*Dr. John Scholten Former Superintendent Petoskey Schools Northern Mi. jscholtenmli@gmail.com

Pete Haines- Former Superintendent, Ottawa ISD Assoc. President, S.W. Mi haines1@gmail.com

Mr. Chet Janik - Former Superintendent Charlevoix Public Schools, County Administrator Leelanau County cjankimli@geneseeisd.org

Lisa Hook -Administrative Assistant: lhook@geneseeisd.org

Dr. Lisa Hagel, Former Superintendent at Genesee ISD and Mt. Morris Schools,

Executive Director. (810) 591-3251 lhagelmli@geneseeisd.org

We are ready to help you find your next leadership opportunity to impact a community of students, families and staff. Please continue to watch the MLI website at :http://www.mileader.org for vacancies.

Additionally, we can assist you in recruiting and replacing all key positions in your district as you focus on other important duties. Please do not hesitate to reach out for support.

(810) 591-3251 or mli@geneseeisd.org

Tina Case- Atherton Schools

Dave Campbell- River Valley Schools

Kipp Beaudoin - Athens Public Schools

Thank - You for your leadership.

The Michigan Leadership Institute Welcome’s Chet Janik to the team to support County Administrative teams and Board of Commissioners. We are pleased to be able to support leadership at this higher level to increase stability at our County level.

Mr. Janik’s contact information is cjanikmli@geneseeisd.org or (810) 591-3251.

ENJOY SOME RESOURCES FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL LEARNING OR TO SHARE WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM.

http://www.mileader.org

MICHIGAN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE @ MichiganLeader1