<For Review> Administrative Clarifications

Iranetta Wright <[email protected]> Sun, Mar 12, 2023 at 10:46 PM

Central Office Staff: 

By the time you receive this email, I hope you will have had a peaceful and restful weekend. 

As we move into my first year anniversary and prepare for year two, a few things have been raised for me this
week that may have caused some of you unnecessary frustration. As your Superintendent, my desire to know
and have a working awareness of the inner workings of our district. This may be different from previous styles of
leadership. The involvement of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) in day-to-day work may be different from
that of the Performance Leadership Team (PLT) in previous school years. This does not mean that anyone is
wrong, right, better or worse, just different.

Your work and input are valued, respected and needed. However, we must consider additional measures to
dramatically improve the outcomes for our students. I am not implementing changes simply because I am your
new leader, rather it comes from experience and remaining focused on using proven, industry best practices to
align the district and all schools to our board approved goals. There are multiple ways to reach our end goals
and collectively we are in this work together.    

Hopefully, the information below provides clarity around a few areas of concern that might give you some relief
and provide some future insight on engaging with all leadership, including me.   

1. Remote Work (Telework):  I honor all policies of the board including the approved Remote Work policy 3133
that was adopted December 5, 2022: (http://go.boarddocs.com/oh/cps/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=
CLUSJ96752F2). Many may not know, but I requested the board consider a policy in this area for the purpose
of consistency across the district. Guidelines for implementation were provided shortly thereafter and can also
be found on the district website (https://www.cps-k12.org/Page/648). I have learned that some staff members
have submitted their requests to their direct reports, but have not received responses back. For clarity, I, as the
Superintendent, do not approve remote work for the entire district, rather your direct supervisor reviews and
approves your request.  Please contact your supervisor and/or your ELT member for approval.  If you do not
receive a response, email me and I will follow up on your request with the appropriate team member.

2. Summer vacation:  Vacation is necessary for each one of us.  Every person needs and deserves a time to
unplug, spend time with loved ones or simply walk away from the day-to-day work expectations. As we are also
attempting to be responsive to the professional development needs of teachers, we are planning for a robust
professional development experience throughout the summer. This time is not to interfere with your CBA
approved leave days or time. Please communicate your time off with your supervisor as we prepare for summer
next steps.  While I understand the number of consecutive days you can take off work is not a part of the CBA,
it has been customary in the district to save time to take during the summer. We are working to honor your time
while also moving forward the needs of the district. There will be no change to this process for this summer. If a
change is recommended, this will be done in partnership with CAAS in the future..

3. Communication protocol:  I understand the communication protocol has caused angst for some, while the
process is clear for others. To reduce miscommunication and numerous emails with multiple directives or
information not pertinent to the daily work, we have eliminated the ability to message the entire group of
principals and/or district office staff through the district email service. Some may not agree with this protocol;
however, it remains necessary for alignment and consistency. This protocol does not preclude any bargaining
group from messaging entire groups via their email service platform to any district email address or personal
email address based on the member’s preference. If there is information you need to go out to all, please send
this information to be included in the weekly newsletter. If an emergency arises before the next newsletter is to
be sent out the following week, please notify your ELT member for approval. The goal is not to miss information,
but to honor a process that we all will eventually utilize and learn to respect. If you find this process slows your
work, other than getting accustomed to a new way of work, please let me know and provide suggestions for
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ways to make the process better. I understand some concerns have been raised here because principals do not
read the newsletters. I am including them on this correspondence as well. The more we maintain our protocol,
the more everyone will begin to read the newsletter and use it as a resource. It is happening and will only
improve.

4. Scheduling of meetings: It is the overall expectation that you are provided 5 to 7 business days to be
notified of a meeting with your direct report, department lead, ELT member, etc. There may be exceptions, but
this should be the rule we are using in order to honor your calendar. If emergencies arise, it is best for you to be
able to schedule around what is doable for you. If you find this is not the case on a consistent basis, please
make certain you make me aware. I recognize that we are all working really hard trying to get the work done in
our respective areas and we want to make sure you are professionally respected.

5. Responsiveness: In any instance, if you do not receive a timely response, within 24-48 business hours, or
the response seems contrary to what you are aware of, please feel free to contact me so we can address the
resolution together. Several of you send me emails regularly and know that I pride myself on being responsive.
I also make myself available to meet if you would like to do so. My assistant, Cynthia Doughman can assist you
with a time if desired.

With some of the concerns that have been addressed to me, I believe some are being impacted by
miscommunication or diluted messaging by the time it reaches all staff. These unintended results closely
resemble what we typically called as children “The Telephone Game.” To reduce misinformation in our
workplace, and as we continue to build trust, I will directly email and deliver to you any major system changes.
This will allow you to ask questions directly, or will help you better understand the background or rationale.

As we move into year two, I am hopeful that our work can become laser focused on student achievement
across the district. We have amazing students who are capable of achieving at high levels, even with the
adversity that many of them face. It will take all of us to ensure they reach the unprecedented outcomes that I
have experienced in my previous work and know to be possible in our district as well.

We also have amazing staff. I cannot run our district alone and I need each one of you, central office staff and
principals. We will move and adapt through change and end up with a better district that is strengthened
through our collective effort and resolve. I appreciate each of you and value the work you did before me, the
work you do now, and where we are destined to do together so each student understands their potential is
limitless.

Please plan to join me for our next Be Present session for Central Office staff Thursday, March 23, 2023, from
12-1 p.m. For those who have attended before, you know this voluntary session is a time of open and honest
dialogue. I look forward to seeing you then.

If you have additional questions I have not addressed here, please feel free to email me and I will follow up.

Have an amazing week.

IW

Iranetta Rayborn Wright

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