In an outstanding MASC
Conference presentation by Bill Lupini, Supt. of the Public Schools of
Brookline, conversation centered around building capacity for the transition of
staff members who hold positions of strategic importance and/or require a
special set of skills. Bill posited that the public sector doesn’t do as well
as the private sector in this area.
Why is it important? Staff morale improves, there is a back-up plan
when staff members leave, and districts can understand their talent gaps.
How do we do it? The Supt. and Committee must be committed and
involved; there must be regular talent reviews and viable successors to key
positions must be identified; take a pipeline approach and hold the leadership
team accountable; smaller districts need to partner (regionally and with Collaboratives);
accept that we’ll lose good people but also gain good people.
Best practices: Align with district strategy, assess performance
and potential; integrate succession planning with performance management,
recruitment, selection, development; make a commitment (time and resources) to
staff development.
Other key practices: Implement leadership development practices and develop
respective activities; develop mentoring relationships; enhance the visibility
of high potential staff members; reinforce a culture of leadership development.
Resources:
“Succession Planning for School Leadership” by
Kathy Lacey: http://www.yooyahcloud.com/PA/03UHB/Attachment_4275_SANDSHOE_Kathy_Lacey.pdf
“Succession Planning 101” by Emily Douglas:
“Integrating Leadership Development and Succession Planning Best Practices” by Kevin S. Groves:
“Effective Succession
Planning in the Public Sector” by Brian Wilkerson:
