Developing personnel processes

The design team developed personnel processes—including selection, retention, and dismissal—that were most appropriate for the school. However, the school leadership team, once selected, will carry out those processes and select leaders. There are challenges bringing to life the vision and description that the design team created on paper. Be flexible, reflective, and gentle with each other as you open your school.

At this time, the design team will cease to exist. The school leadership team will assume all responsibilities for starting up and running the school. Some members of the design team will not maintain a formal relationship with the school leadership team.

Your team may need to revisit the Storming stage as you learn how to work together effectively and transition to the Norming stage.

Personnel selection processes (including leaders)

Creating a candidate wish list:

• What qualities are you looking for in candidates? Will you seek candidates who have skills and knowledge that existing team members do not have? Who can take on roles you need to fill?
• Will all members of the design team be members of the school leadership team? Do you need to have some candid (and likely difficult) conversations to ensure that certain people do not end up on the school leadership team?

Hiring processes for teachers, leaders, and other personnel:

• Who will be involved in personnel selection processes?
• How will you recruit and screen candidates?
• What questions should you ask (and not ask), considering both legal boundaries and your teaching and learning models?
• Will you conduct observations? If so, how?

Educating and evaluating candidates:

• How will you ensure candidates understand what it means to be part of your team and that they are willing to take on relevant responsibilities?
• How will you ensure candidates are a good fit for your school (including its culture)?
• How will you ensure that the team selected to run the school is aware of—and will take ownership of—the design decisions made during the Storming stage? What process will the team use to determine whether it is time to evolve a process the design team initiated?
• How will you ensure leaders are willing to be responsible for—and held accountable to—the team of teachers?
• What steps from the Storming stage does your team need to revisit in order to learn to work together well?

Dismissal processes

• How will you determine when a team member is not performing well?
• What opportunities will team members be given to improve?
• How will you document progress or lack thereof?
• Are there any cases in which team members will be immediately dismissed? What district and state legal requirements exist in these circumstances?
• How can you ensure the team is following processes that protect the school from legal challenges?