Initial Action Plan for Saving Hayward Schools

By Jeffrey B. "Jeff" Cook

We need a combination of real-world business expertise and selfless partnering of all segments of the community.

2. Hire a superintendent with a proven track record of success in:

a. Fiscal management, student achievement and community partnering.
b. Preferably with some financial/business experience, or a business-like, bottom-line, results-oriented mentality.
c. Preferably from Hayward or the Bay Area, or at least with significant experience in administration of California school district(s).

3. Hire a new head of Finance with a proven record of successful financial management of California school districts (and preferably with some private sector experience also). A real expert is needed here to establish better budget monitoring systems and:

a. A Position Control system linked with Payroll and the budget;
b. A citizen budget advisory committee to assist in monitoring the budget.

4. Budget and programs decisions must be based on the ROI ("return on investment"). ROI is the demonstrable educational benefit to the student.

5. Establish a partnership of the business community and all stakeholders in the school community to creatively increase financial and non-financial support for the schools, including:

a. the successful promotion of a local school bond initiative, and
b. the creation of coalition of prominent business people, civic leaders and HUSD representatives that will actively solicit support from the entire business community. (HEF, Chamber of Commerce, City Council, etc.)

6. Establish a simplified mission statement that refocuses on what should be the Primary Mission of HUSD: to give students the knowledge and skills they need to be competitive in college and the real work world.

a. The Board and Administration must set district and departmental goals and initiatives designed to support, drive and accomplish the Primary Mission.

b. Metrics must be set for all HUSD departments and staff that measure progress toward their respective goals and initiatives, and for which they will be held accountable.

7. By demonstrating competence, responsiveness and accountability, re-establish community TRUST in the HUSD governance team, which will breed increased collaboration.

8. A culture must be established in HUSD that demands the "extra mile" for the benefit of the students and makes group and individual self interests subordinate to the students' interests. Politics, "turf-building" and anything but selfless dedication and cooperation cannot be tolerated.