Dear parents and families,
I value the feedback and opinions that many of you have shared with me regarding the potential shift of our 4-day school week to Mondays as the off day. Your voices matter deeply, and I am grateful for your engagement. As we continue on this journey together, I want to take a moment to share some of my thoughts with you and hopefully provide more insight into how decisions are made within our district.
I know that change can be difficult. Many of us are deeply invested in the way things have always been, and changing routines can be challenging and uncomfortable. At the same time, change brings opportunity to grow and improve, and in this case, to support our students to feel more connected to each other and our school community. My focus is centered on our students and educators, and I am committed to moving forward in a way that is both responsible and effective. As we navigate change together, I want to emphasize a few key principles that guide my leadership and decision-making.
The Challenge of Change
Transforming practices, whether through structural changes like a 4-day week or other shifts, requires courage and a willingness to face criticism. I am a father first and foremost, and I understand (and have experienced!) the difficulty of managing changes in school schedules. Being a leader requires the willingness to make decisions that not everyone agrees with, but that are ultimately necessary for the success of those they serve. I would never make a decision or recommendation for our district if I was not confident that it would have a long-term positive impact for our students and team.
Transparency and the Balance of Openness
I remain committed to being transparent with you while balancing my responsibility as the superintendent of our district. As a leader, one of my primary responsibilities is to share the necessary information with our community while also protecting the integrity of the decision-making process. I have learned the hard way that being overly transparent at all times leads to confusion, frustration, and information overload and ultimately hinders progress. That’s why I communicated the potential calendar changes seven months in advance—to ensure that all stakeholders had ample time to consider the implications of the changes while also allowing space for thoughtful input. Transparency is about building trust, and I recognize that it’s a balance. It’s not about sharing everything all the time, but sharing what’s most relevant and well-informed at the right time. This allows for informed decision-making while maintaining clarity and direction.
Inviting Input and the Importance of Focused Decision-Making
In my 30+ years in education, I’ve learned the importance of striking a balance between inviting feedback and maintaining focus on the district’s long-term goals. While diverse perspectives are essential, I have also learned that being paralyzed by too much input can undermine progress. Imagine planning your family’s meal with hundreds of people (with varying levels of cooking experience who may not know your family well) contributing to creating the menu. You’d be lucky to get anything on a plate by dinner-time. It’s important to hear from our community, but ultimately, as the leader of this district, I must make decisions that align with our strategic priorities and the best interests of our students, staff, and families—even if those decisions are not universally popular.
Speed and Confidence in Decision-Making
The ability to make decisions quickly, with confidence, and based on what’s best for our district is critical. When faced with a decision, I ask myself one simple question: “Is this best for our students?” If the answer is yes, I make the decision and move forward. The process isn’t about striving for perfection; it’s about making progress. I recognize that not every decision will please everyone, but I am committed to doing what is best for the district in the long run.
Learning from Experience
Early in my career, I often involved too many people in the name of inclusiveness and transparency. This approach slowed down the decision-making process and led to a diluted outcome that no one fully supported. Over the years, I’ve learned that trying to please everyone often results in stagnation, or worse, poor decisions. While I will continue to seek input and feedback, I have learned that it’s sometimes necessary to make tough decisions that may not please everyone, but that ultimately serve the greater good of our district.
Handling Criticism and Moving Forward Together
Decision-making is never easy, and as a leader, I understand that criticism is a natural part of the process. It’s easy to criticize when one isn’t bearing the weight of decision-making for hundreds of students and staff, but I firmly believe that negatively criticizing our community or leadership weakens our overall progress. I welcome constructive feedback, but I ask that we all remain focused on the shared goal of creating a strong, supportive learning environment for our students.
Staying Focused on Our Vision
At the end of the day, my love for our students and staff drives everything I do. I am committed to making a positive impact each and every day, and to ensuring that we stay focused on our larger vision and strategic priorities. There will always be room for feedback and opportunities for improvement, but I remain deeply focused on our district’s long-term success.
There are over 1,800 students and 200 staff members who depend on us to make thoughtful, strategic decisions that move the district forward. My responsibility is to lead with conviction, make tough decisions, and take calculated risks for the betterment of our entire community.
I want to thank all of you who have shared your thoughts and feedback. Your willingness to engage with difficult proposals and difficult changes is a testament to the strength of our community. Though the process may not always be smooth, I am confident that by working together, we will continue to guide our district through these changes and come out stronger on the other side.
In service,
Robert Schornick
Superintendent
Catoosa Public Schools