Evaluating Your

Superintendent
of Schools
School Year 2013-2014
School Board of Lee County, Florida
To affect the quality of the day,
that is the highest of arts.

Henry David Thoreau

ANSWERING BIG QUESTIONS

In preparing this goal document and its accompanying
assessment format, I considered several factors including
conversations with School Board members as well as
personnel at all levels of the organization, goals in the current
District Strategic Plan, current systems in place, and my
perception of the needs that have been expressed by many in
the days leading up to the start of my work as the
Superintendent of the School District of Lee County. It is clear
that there is much work to do, and I am honored to lead the
charge to move us forward to benefit the many children
entrusted to all of us who work in this system.

Sometimes it is necessary to go backwards to move forward,
so I have gone back to some basics of organizational
development. Beginning with the end in mind, I am reminded
of five questions that leadership theorist Peter Drucker
proposed as the most important questions a leader must ask
to intentionally assess an organization:

1. What is our mission?
2. Who is our customer?
3. What does the customer value?
4. What are our results?
5. What is our plan?

When all who work within our system are able to clearly
answer these questions, we will be on our way to becoming a
school system that will be recognized for its quality, data and
research-based decision making, and overall success as
evidenced by outstanding student achievement and
development. These are the five questions we must answer in
full.

The answers to these questions must be fully developed and
stated in plain and simple terms. The answers must be clearly
understood by the entire school district community: our
parents and students; our faculty and staff; our business and
community partners; our supporters and critics alike. It is my
intention to lead a strong school system rather than a group of
schools and departments working in isolation of one another.
It must be a system focused on teaching and learning for all
children. My commitment to excellence is also a commitment
to sound decisions, equity at every level, and authentic
continuous improvement throughout the system.

These proposed Superintendent goals should serve two
purposes initially: (1) a map to guide me as I lead the system;
and (2) a tool for the School Board to work with me to assess
my work. They will also serve longer-range improvement as
the beginning of a long-term planning approach that focuses
on what matters most: improving student achievement,
building greater human capacity throughout the organization,
and aligning spending with the District Strategic Plan.

The goals within this document will move us closer to
answering our five key questions. Drawing on the great
breadth and depth of experience we have individually, it is
important that we work together to develop a unified
response to each question. Such unity and clarity represents a
quality organization at its highest level, which is the only kind
of system worthy of our children.

Nancy, J. Graham, Ed.D
Superintendent of Schools



Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 3
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
1. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: TEACHING AND LEARNING
Strategic Plan Goals:
Reading Performance will improve. Math performance will improve.
Writing performance will increase. Science performance will improve.
Achievement gap will improve.

Superintendent Goal:
Increase student achievement gains system-wide by focusing on teaching and learning.
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
October
Review school data with
100% of Principals through
Executive Directors for
School Development who
will work with Principals to
establish school and
principal goals.
School and
principal goals

4 4 4 4
3
4 4
January
Train 100% of principals in
progress monitoring
strategies, including use of
data.
Training calendar
4 4 4 4 4 3 4
April
Report school gains against
expected gains as part of
principals mid-year
assessment.
Gains report
4 3 3 2 3 3.5 3
July
Review data for increase in
student gains as measured
by the appropriate
summative assessments for
each level.
Gains report


Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge


Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 4
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
2. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: DIFFERENTIATED ACCOUNTABILITY
Strategic Plan Goals:
Reading Performance will improve. Math performance will improve.
Writing performance will increase. Science performance will improve.
Achievement gap will improve.

Superintendent Goal:
Increase the total points earned as measured in the Florida school grading system for Turnaround Schools (DA)
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
October
Director of Turnaround
Schools is appointed and a
plan for improvement
developed.
Improvement
plan
4 4 4 4
1
4 4
January
Baseline data will be
identified, database will be
established, and data will be
archived.
Baseline data
definitions
4 4 4 4 4 3 4
April
Measure school gains
against expected gains as
part of principals mid-year
assessment.
Gains report
4 1 3.5
2 3 3.5 2.83
July
Review data for increase in
total points as measured by
appropriate summative
assessments for each level.
Gains report


Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge


Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 5
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
3. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: CAPACITY FOR SUCCESS
Strategic Plan Goals:
Reading Performance will improve. Math performance will improve.
Writing performance will increase. Science performance will improve.
Achievement gap will improve.

Superintendent Goal:
Initiate plan to develop internal capacity in schools, with principals and school staff, to gather, analyze and synthesize student performance
data to improve classroom instruction
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
October
Form School Data Working
Group with representative
principals, teachers, and
appropriate District-level
personnel to develop plan.
Group
membership
roster
4 4 4 4
2
3.5 3.83
January
Review plans from School
Data Working Group for
modification as necessary,
and adoption.
Improvement
plan
4 3 4
4 4 4 4
April
Provide a calendar of school
staff training in use of
performance data (either
pilot or system-wide).
Training calendar
4 4 4 4 4 4 4
July
Assess progress on data
plan implementation, make
modifications as needed,
and proceed with next stage
of implementation.
Progress analysis
and revised
improvement
plan


Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge


Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 6
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
4. LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT: VISION AND MISSION
Strategic Plan Goals:
The District will receive external review and recognition.
Superintendent Goal:
Review and refine District Vision and Mission
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
January
Collaborate with
stakeholders, including
School Board, to define
vision and mission.
Recommendation
for Vision and
Mission
statements
5 5 5 4 4 4 4.33
April
Identify metrics in the
Strategic Plan and other
evidence that show progress
toward realizing the Vision.
Progress analysis
4 1 4 3 4 4 3.67

Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge


Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 7
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
5. LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT: ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN
Strategic Plan Goals:
Maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of District resources.
Superintendent Goal:
Develop a District organizational chart that is: focused on student achievement, provides student support and operational structures that
support schools, is fiscally responsible, and demonstrates accountability
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
October
All positions will be staffed
by qualified, diverse
personnel. The
Superintendent will clearly
communicate that the role of
central staff is to support
schools.
(a) Organizational
chart

(b) Sample
communications
to central staff
4
3
5
4 3 4 3.67
January
Meet with Division and
Department leaders to set
Division and Department
goals consistent with
Superintendents goals and
the Districts Strategic Plan.
Summary of
department goals
4 4 4 4 4 4 4
April
Present timeline for Board
review of progress related
to Strategic Plan goals.

4 3 3 2 4
4 3.33
July
Review Department leaders
reports of accomplishments
relative to goals. Include
progress toward goals as
part of end-of-year
Performance Evaluations.
Progress analysis


Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge



Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 8
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
6. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
Strategic Plan Goals:
Recruitment, engagement and retention of highly qualified employees will improve.
The District will create/improve the development pipeline for school and District leadership positions, including both internal and
external opportunities.
Superintendent Goal:
Develop a comprehensive Professional Development Plan for all staff.
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
January
Complete an assessment of
existing professional
development offerings.
Form a Working Group to
draft a Professional
Development Plan for
submission to the
Superintendent.
(a) Draft
professional
development
plan

(b) Report of
professional
development
statistics by
position for all
bargaining units
4
3 4
4 4 4 4
April
Review Professional
Development Plan and begin
implementation of same.
Professional
development
plan
4
3 3.5
3 4 3.5 3.5
July
Show evidence of active
professional development
training throughout
organization.
Progress analysis


Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge


Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 9
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
7. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: STRENGTHENING THE ORGANIZATION
Strategic Plan Goals:
Engagement and retention of highly qualified employees will improve.
The District will create/improve the development pipeline for school and District leadership positions, including both internal and external
opportunities.
Superintendent Goal:
Build a strengths-based organization.
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
January
Review Strengths Survey
completed by District
leadership (principals and
above).
Summary
document of
Strengths Survey.
4
4
4 4 4 3.5 4
April
Provide professional
development to help District
leaders understand and
manage their strengths.
Review personal strength-
building goals and end-of-
year evaluations. Assess
organizational strengths and
weaknesses, and define
measures to build capacity.
Metrics for
measuring
success of
Strategic Plan
Goal for
recruitment,
retention, and
engagement.
4
3 4
4 4 4 4
July
Assess progress made on
individual strength-
building goals as part of
end-of-year evaluations.
(a) Findings of
survey of
principal
strengths.

(b) Draft
organizational
and leadership
development
plan.


Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge

Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 10
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
8. FINANCE & BUDGETING: STEWARDSHIP

Strategic Plan Goals:

The budget allocation plan will reflect the high-priority Goals of the District, both short-term and long-term.
Maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of District resources.
Superintendent Goal:
Develop a Fiscal Year Budget that aligns with the Strategic Plan.
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
January
Plan for the development of
the FY15 budget, including
criteria on: High-priority
educational goals of the
District, high-priority
operational and support
goals of the District,
financial parameters,
process changes (if any)
relating to priority-setting
role of the School Board,
adjustments to roles of
principals and department
leaders, means of obtaining
parent and community
involvement, mechanisms
for feedback from
stakeholders, budget
timeline, and other critical
matters.
Board briefing on
budget planning
4
4
4 4 4 4 4
July
Propose preliminary budget
that omits any use of
reserves.
Draft budget


Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge


Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 11
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
9. FINANCE & BUDGETING: TAKING A LONGER VIEW
Strategic Plan Goals:
The District will engage in long-range planning, as initially reflected in a 3-year budget estimates plan, to support educational and program
decision-making.
Superintendent Goal:
Refine/develop a five-year Budget plan to aid the School Board and District leadership in program decision-making.
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
January
Identify existing programs
that may no longer be
effective or necessary to
determine if budget
resources can be reallocated
to higher-priority programs.
Five-year budget
plan
3
In
process
3





4





4





4





3





3.67





April
Draft a five-year estimate of
expenditures and revenues,
based on projected
enrollment and staffing data,
program planning, priority
goals, updated performance
metrics, and assumptions of
costs and revenue changes
in the local/state/national
fiscal environment that may
impact the District.
Analysis report
4 4 4 4 4
3. 5
4
July
Review and revise five-year
plan each year to reflect
actual experience and
changing circumstances.
Proposed
revisions to five-
year budget plan


Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge


Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 12
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA

10. COMMUNICATION & COMMUNITY RELATIONS: LISTENING & LEARNING
Strategic Plan Goals:
Increase communication and parent/community involvement
Superintendent Goal:
Maintain positive relationships with community leaders and organizations
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
October
Superintendent meets with
key community leaders,
organizations and other
stakeholders as identified by
the Superintendent and the
School Board.
Completed roster
of key contacts
per Board
Members input 5 4 5 3
5 4 4.33
January
Maintain and provide a log
of interactions to School
Board Members.
Meeting log
4 3 4 3 4 4.5 3.67
April
Assess progress through
self-evaluation by
Superintendent.
Progress analysis
5
4 5 4 4 5 4.33

Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge


Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 13
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
11. COMMUNICATION & COMMUNITY RELATIONS: SERVING OUR CITIZENS
Strategic Plan Goals:
Increase communication and parent/community involvement
Superintendent Goal:
Establish Parent Citizen Referral System (PCRS)
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
October
Plan for implementation of
PCRS.
Draft technical
description
5 4
3
4
5
4 4
January
Full implementation of
PCRS.
Sample PCRS
report
5
Full
function
since
9/13
4




5




4




4




5




4.33




April
Establish baseline data. Baseline
statistics
4 4 4 3 4 4 4
July
Analyze the data collected
through PCRS.
Analysis report


Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge


Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 14
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
12. COMMUNICATION: TRANSPARENCY AND ACCURACY
Strategic Plan Goals:
Increase communication and parent/community involvement
Superintendent Goal:
Improve School District communication both internally and externally.
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
January
Develop an updated plan for
internal and external
communications, both at the
District and school levels,
creating a system for weekly
information dissemination
and regularly scheduled
roundtable or individual
discussions with the media.
(a) Sample
weekly
communications

(b) Evidence of
roundtables
4 3 4 4 4 4. 5 4
April
Provide mid-year report of
initial roll-out of
communications plan.
Superintendent
self-assessment
5 4 4 4 4 5 4
July
Determine progress on plan,
make appropriate
adjustments.
Progress report


Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge


Superintendent Evaluation for School Year 2013-2014 Page 15
SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
13. COMMUNICATION & COMMUNITY RELATIONS: BETTER TOOLS FOR TEAMWORK
Strategic Plan Goals:
Increase communication and parent/community involvement
Superintendent Goal:
Utilize technology to support communications.
Checkpoint Benchmarks Evidence
Dr.
Graham
Ms.
Fischer
Mrs.
Dozier
Ms.
Morgan
Mr.
Armstrong
Mr.
Scott
Board
Average
January
Create a system for Web
conferencing for
communicating regularly
with District leadership.
Calendar of Web
conferences
5
Feedback
From
users
5



5



4



4



4



4.33



April
Collect feedback on Web
conferencing from District
leadership.
Feedback
summary
4 4 4 4 4 3.5 4
July
Evaluate resource savings
and value of consistent,
timely communication with
District leadership.
Progress report


Rating Scale:
5 Performance exceeds criteria; 4 Performance meets criteria; 3 Performance requires improvement; 2 Performance is unsatisfactory; 1 Cannot judge