Karen Haase & Bobby Truhe (402) 434-3000 H & S School Law [email protected] @KarenHaase [email protected] @btruhe Superintendent Evaluations.

Karen Haase & Bobby Truhe(402) 434-3000

H & S School [email protected]

@KarenHaase

[email protected]@btruhe

Superintendent Evaluations

Superintendents are Tricky…

Superintendents and Tenure Superintendents DON’T get tenure • But don’t forget tenure carried forward

Superintendents DO get due process• Contracts renew automatically• Must have a reason for ending contract • Must prove “seven deadly sins” for

mid-term cancellation

Superintendents’ Contracts CHECK THE CONTRACT• Even if your board is 100% happy• Check renewal dates• 3 years = 4 years

Contract review is sensible, not picking a fight

Superintendents’ Evaluations CHECK THE FORM/POLICY ON

FILE WITH NDE• Recent additional requirement • Must use NDE forms• “The Devil made me do it”

Frequency• Twice a year for the first year• Once a year thereafter

Practice Writing Evaluations

Albus Dumbledore Superintendent for 5

years Not visible in buildings

or community Not pushing principal

hard enough Great with budget,

agenda, policy, curriculum

Talking About Evaluations

Closed Session?

In re Scottsbuff Herald Complaint, AG Letter, 2/19/10

AG’s guidance:• If all positive: must be in open session• If all negative: may be in closed

session unless superintendent objects• If a mixture, may be in closed session

How to have these difficult conversations

(grow a pair….)

So, how’s it going?

“How did you feel things are going?”

“How do you feel about the school year so far?

So, how’s it going?

Dishonest Most people decide to bluff; some

are very good at it “Your job is on the line”

Oreo Cookie (Donut)

Sandwiching criticism between layers of false praise

Oreo Cookie (Donut)

Squanders primacy and recency Makes people distrust praise – and

you Allows people to not “hear” your

criticisms and concerns

Too Many Pillows

Layering your criticisms so subtly that the employee doesn’t understand your concern

Too Many Pillows

Dishonest Unproductive Frustrating to everyone

Writing a Script

You “know” what the other person will say

Rehearse conversation in your head

Writing a Script

Keeps you from having the necessary conversations

Keeps you from seeing possible change during the meeting

Prevents you from hearing the employee during the meeting

Machine Gun Nelly

All criticisms thrown out one after another

Machine Gun Nelly

Negative emotional wake Leaves employee overwhelmed Creates defensiveness

Poll: What is YOUR method of confrontation?

The Fierce Convos. Model

Opening statement Interaction Resolution

The Fierce Convos. Model

Opening statement Interaction Resolution

The Fierce Convos. Model Opening statement – 60 seconds!• Name the issue• Select an example• Describe emotions• Clarify what is at stake• Identify your contribution to problem.• Indicate your wish to resolve• Invite partner to respond

The Fierce Convos. Model

Opening statement Interaction Resolution

The Fierce Convos. Model

Interaction• If others says things you disagree with,

resist urge to immediately argue• Use paraphrasing• Use questions• Use silence • Acknowledge others’ reality and use

“and”

The Fierce Convos. Model

Opening statement Interaction Resolution

The Fierce Convos. Model

Resolution • Ask employee to identify what he/she

is going to do to resolve problem• Require timeline• You provide resolution steps if

necessary

Poll: Questions? Comments? Constructive Critic...

Karen Haase & Bobby Truhe(402) 434-3000

H & S School [email protected]

@KarenHaase

[email protected]@btruhe

Superintendent Evaluations