Talking Out of School District Administration

Recruiting more aspiring educators of color will not only fill teacher vacancies but also propel student achievement and improve school climate, says this week's podcast guest, Javaid Siddiqi, the president and CEO of The Hunt Institute.

The podcast explores using IRA funding to boost sustainability and campus facilities in higher education. Host Michelle and guest Becky Walker from Trane discuss how institutions can tap into IRA incentives for renewable energy, carbon footprint reduction, and bolstering reputation.
Becky details Trane's role in aiding clients with funding mechanisms and stresses the need to understand financial landscapes and tax incentives. The conversation highlights higher education's shift toward campuses as complex entities, emphasizing sustainability goals. Various financing options, like performance contracts and rebates, are also discussed, with an emphasis on collaboration between departments and financial advisors.

Teachers quit the classroom when they lack control, choice and collaboration, says Becky Pringle, president of the NEA teachers union.

In this episode, Dr. Ken Trump, president of the National School Safety and Security Services,  describes the current school safety climate and what leaders can do now to ensure a safer 2024-25 school year.

Gordian recently commissioned a double-blind study, conducted by Forrester Consulting, shedding light on the pressing challenges confronting K-12 facilities nationwide. Shockingly, nearly half of K-12 school facilities leaders admit to falling short of achieving their primary objectives, jeopardizing student safety, facing costly fines, and undermining the overall learning environment.
Delve into our podcast to delve deeper into the report's revelations, and discover effective strategies for district leaders to tackle the prevalent school facilities challenges unveiled by the study.
Key discussion points include:
1. The imminent dangers of deferred maintenance and proactive measures for repairs and upgrades.2. The pivotal role of comprehensive assessments and data in making informed decisions regarding school facilities and infrastructure.3. Strategies for pinpointing strategic maintenance and renovation opportunities within a school system and understanding their impact on students and communities.

At the risk of telling you something you already know, chronic absenteeism is one of the most serious challenges to superintendents' efforts to get all students back on track. "The churn that's happening in classrooms is now affecting everyone, it's affecting the ability of teachers to teach, teachers to set classroom norms, and kids to learn," Attendance Works Executive Director Hedy Chang says on this week's podcast.