Heath Morrison’s Blog
Keep the Main Things the Main Things
It's always an engaging opportunity to share things that are happening in your district at conferences and workshops. Recently, my board and I were invited to do a session at the state school board conference on proactive messaging and authentic public collaboration....
The Teacher Shortage is Not Looming; It’s Here
For many years, education groups and policymakers have been speaking about the impending teacher shortage as though it is something looming in the future, with the opportunity to make plans and preparations to address this challenge. The reality of unfilled teacher...
Brand Management for School Districts
"Your brand is not what you say you are; it's what people say about you." This was the advice of a Disney Corporation brand manager I had brought in to meet with my principals in a large urban district. Facing increased competition from the state cap on charter...
Ensuring a Successful Onboarding of New School Board Members
The results are in! The votes are counted, and new school board members have been elected. It is important for district leaders to have a process in place to manage this time of transition and change in school board dynamics. Each new board member will bring a unique...
How Districts Can Show Appreciation For Teachers Year-Round
As we approach the end of another school year and reflect on everything our students have accomplished, it is difficult to find an adequate way to thank teachers for all the work they do. Teacher Appreciation Week is traditionally celebrated in May, but appreciating...
Enjoying the Moment
Superintendents like to talk about all of the challenges with their jobs; of which there are many. However, when asked about the aspects of the role they enjoy most, graduation ceremonies probably rank very high for most school leaders. Graduation marks the...
How School Districts Can “Choose” to Compete with “Choice”
Across the country, state legislatures are either considering implementing vouchers or deciding on possible expansion of such programs. The old argument for pro-voucher supporters of providing competition to traditional public schools to improve them has been...
Engaging Volunteers in our Schools
Each spring, as educators gear up for the home stretch of the school year, it’s a great idea to recognize the parent volunteers who have contributed in big and small ways in our schools. Exhibiting an attitude of gratitude for teachers and staff members is always a...
School District Budgeting is a Process, Not a One-Time Event
Each spring, school districts begin gearing up for one of their most important obligations: developing their budget for the next school year. Budgets play a critical role in the planning, control and evaluation of school district operations. The adoption of a budget...
To Choose Or Not to Choose with School Choice Legislation
As legislatures across the country get set to resume their business, the issue of school choice, especially in Republican controlled bodies, continues to be a topic of interest. The "choice movement" in public education is not new, and many states have already adopted...