Leadership, Professional Development, and School Transformation Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, October 2, 2018
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Agreement for Technical Services with Alma Advisory Group, LLC (Alma) (Leadership, Professional Development, and School Transformation)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Alma contract is part of the District Turn Around Leadership Pathways initiative and is funded by the Federal Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program five-year grant. The Turn Around Leadership Pathways initiative was designed to recruit, select, and prepare the very best leaders to serve in the district’s highest-needs schools in order to dramatically improve student outcomes in these schools. Research shows that absent a great leader, high-needs schools will not be able to turn around.  Alma was written into years one and two of the five-year grant. In year one, Alma conducted national research and worked with Hillsborough County Public Schools' leaders to add competencies specific to leading in schools in need of turn around to the district’s current competency framework. They revised screening and hiring processes and designed tools to ensure the selection and hiring of leaders with the skill and will to do turn around work. They also supported the enhancement of the induction model for principals moving into schools in need of turn around. In year two of the grant, Alma will work with Human Resources (HR) staff to systemically improve the caliber of the workforce in Achievement Schools. After meeting with stakeholders, analyzing current HR processes and practices, and providing feedback to HR staff, Alma staff will support the HR team through process redesign with clear goals of recruiting and retaining cohorts of experienced teachers and leaders into Achievement Schools. They will also focus on continued calibration of Area Superintendents to support high quality induction and coaching of leaders during the transition into an Achievement School.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Recruit, support, and retain a highly effective and diverse workforce • Develop a culture of respect, trust, and collaboration • Continuously improve processes and systems
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds in the amount of $97,800 will be available in the Instructional Leadership Faculty Development Grant.  For tracking purposes, the project number specific to this agenda item is 3542.  As of September 13, 2018, the remaining balance less encumbrances for this line item equaled $97,800.
EVALUATION
Alma consultants were instrumental in the design of the district’s five core competencies and associated selection and evaluation rubrics, as well as current succession planning processes. The tools they have helped to create have been sustained for the past five years with over 150 HCPS Principals and Assistant Principals being hired and developed under the new competencies. The tools and processes have been featured nationwide through webinars, conferences, and in journal articles. In addition to the talent management work they have done with HCPS, Alma consultants also support other large urban districts through the Urban Schools Human Capital Academy. They specialize in helping systems redesign their processes to best support improved talent management and student outcomes.
SUBMITTED BY:

Tricia McManus		Gretchen Saunders
Assistant Superintendent, Leadership, Professional Development, and School Transformation (813) 272-4876		Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270
		C 6.22
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20181002_903 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 6.22