Moon area school district analysis

Brittany Samudosky & Hayley Grippa

RESEARCH METHODS• INTERVIEW

Superintendent of schools, Curt Baker

• Non traditional Superintendent• Baker is 1 in 5 superintendent’s in PA who has

never taught in a classroom• We interviewed Baker regarding the district’s

organizational diversity, organizational culture, public relations, organizational structure

research methods• Scholarly Articles

• How Public Relations Can Help Our School Systems

• PR is becoming increasingly popular around the world as the investment in tax dollars increases going to public school systems. A PR dept. will help the school by developing press releases, letters, and viewing photos over media. The movement towards a public relations program will help the desperate need for professional attention.

• Faculty Perceptions of Shared Decision Making and the Principal’s Leadership

• studies 26 schools in a large urban school district. The article examines leadership behaviors and the decision process through their study.

website• http://www.moonarea.net/

Research methods• Print Source

1. Local Students Meet The Troops They Sent Letters To

• We found this article useful because it demonstrates an activity conducted by students of the District. We wanted to learn more about the culture of the organization through activities and initiatives taken by the school to educate their students.

2. New Superintendent has Moon sporting a rugby team

• This article demonstrates the changes put into place to reflect the personality of new administration. Also, the superintendent is in a top position which puts him on a higher level in the hierarchy.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW•Moon was founded in 1788- oldest part of Allegheny•7 different buildings (1 HS, 1 MS, 5 Elementary)•J.A. Allard Elementary School, J.H. Brooks Elementary School, R. Hyde Elementary School, McCormick Elementary School, Bon Meade Elementary School, Moon Area Middle School and Moon Area High School•Moon’s first building opened up in 1954 (Carnot)

Historical Overview Continued

• Carnot was built for 7-12th grade – however, served as junior and senior school

• This high school was then built and welcomed junior HS students (gr. 7-9) in 1968

• Carnot became an elementary school before it closed for good

• 1989 Educational standards produced a split from HS into JH

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

•Total of 30 departments (teachers, faculty, tech, Pr, etc.)•Principals (Barry Balaski, Mellisa Heasley, Julie Moore)(Administrative director of state educational policy and a building manager)•Superintendents (Curt Baker, Caroline Johns)(“Chief school administrator” - executive oversight and administrative powers)•Director (Al Bennet, Michael Haslett, James Heck)(Same as superintendent; however, lower level of management)

Org structure cont.Classical Management (Fayol)

1. Scalar chain (vertical hierarchy/communication)

2. Unity of command (orders/tasks)3. Unity of direction (activities/goals under 1)4. Division of labor (limited number of tasks)5. Order (specific employee for task)6. Span of control (level of management)

ORGANIZATIONAL DIVERSITY

• Educates more than 3,700 students from Moon and Crescent townships

• The information regarding the District’s organizational diversity was gathered mostly through our interview with Superintendent, Curt Baker. When asked about diversity, Curt could not give an exact or direct answer

• 15% of students are eligible for reduced lunches

• Student age ranges from around 6 years old to 18 years old

• Special Education Plan• Disability

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

• Mission Statement: “Moon Area School District, in partnership with the community, is dedicated to educating every individual in a respectful, safe, enriching environment through comprehensive programs that inspire excellence, lifelong learning and responsibility.

• 3 Most Important Aspects of Organizational Culture• Realization that fun is important• Relay a sense of collegiality• Focus on excellence

PUBLIC RELATIONS• Public Relations Officer: Megan Edwards

Tells scholarly story to general public through use of media, write press releases, take photos, handle District website and social media, promote the District’s mission, goals, and strategic plan,

Facebook, Twitter, InstagramSchool photos, updates, news

Public RelationsGoals

1. 100% of Moon Area School District students will be proficient in Reading and Mathematics as measured by the PSSA results or will demonstrate at least one year standard measure of growth as determined by PVAAS

2. 100% of Moon Area School District students, teachers and administrators will demonstrate technological literacy as determined by the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards by 2013.

3. 100% of Moon Area School District curricula will reflect expanded educational opportunities, incorporate 21st century skills and increase academic rigor as evaluated by an annual curriculum review through 2013.

4. 100% of Moon Area School District students will be enrolled in classrooms that implement research-based instructional practices as evidenced by completed, standards-based curriculum maps and teacher observations by 2013.

Values (only a few listed below)

-Learning is a lifelong process-The education of our youth is the most valuable investment for our future- A quality education provides opportunities and a basis for achieving success

Mission Statement

“Is dedicated to educating every individual in a respectful, safe, enriching environment through comprehensive programs that inspire excellence, lifelong learning and responsibility”

JOBS• Pubic Relations Officer

Promote and develop positive image for the District, handle social media and website, form tight connections with the press, handle crisis communication, write press releases

• School/Community Relations & Grant Coordinator Facilitate integration of the District with the community,

create a better understanding within school district and community, develop strong relationships with press, develop effective communication channels for the district, generate funding through grants for instructional programs that align with District goals, assure that an effective crisis communication is in place

Jobs cont.• Director of Guidance, Counseling and

Gifted Ed. Provide leadership to guidance and counseling,

gifted education, student discipline, and social outreach programs, guide students to develop in a way that allows them to pursue their career goals and aspirations, market students to colleges, universities, businesses and military

REFERENCES• Cone J. HOW PUBLIC RELATIONS CAN HELP OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS. Public Relations

Quarterly [serial online]. Spring71 1971;16(1):34. Available from: Business Source Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed April 8, 2014.

• Crawley, D. (May 2013). Local students meet the troops they sent letters to. CBS Pittsburgh. Retrieved February 27, 2014 from http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/05/20/local-students- meet0troops- after-sending-letters-to-them/

• Cynthia E. Coburn, Soung Bae & Erica O. Turner (2008). Authority, Status, and the Dynamics of insider-outsider partnerships at the district level, Peabody Journal of Education, 83:3, 364-399.

• George, J. R., & Bishop, L. K. (1971). Relationships of Organizational Structure and Teacher Personality Characteristics to Organizational Climate. Administrative Science Quarterly, 16 (4), 467-475.

• Leech, D., & Fulton C.R. (2008). Faculty perceptions of shared decision making and the principal’s l leadership behaviors in secondary schools in a large urban district. Education, Summer 2008, Vol. 128 Issue 4, p.630-644

• Rousmaniere, K. (2013). “The Principal: The most misunderstood person in all education”. Retrieved March 10, 2014 from http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/11/the-principal-themost-misunderstood-person-in-all-of-education/ 281223/