Each day, new stories of economic gloom underscore the financial crisis local school districts face. While the current crisis deserves focused attention and comprehensive resolution, leaders must also reassure stakeholders that strong leadership is at the helm. Stakeholders need to know that the district and its schools will not only survive, but thrive once the dark clouds lift.  As President John F. Kennedy reminded us, "When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity."

Opportunity Amid the Crisis

With the Amended Formula Adjustment, new austerity cuts, reversal of previous QBE enhancements, and the recently announced reduction, school districts have been hit hard by the economic downturn; however, the federal stimulus package is providing a ray of sunshine, including funding that can be used to provide school improvement professional development and other professional learning. Because districts have never paid for Base Camp and Leadership Summit, this expenditure would not be viewed as supplanting.

GLISI Maintains Focus on District Support In Spite of Economic Downturn

Like you, GLISI is developing different economic scenarios, identifying risks and opportunities, and prioritizing initiatives to mitigate the risks and leverage the opportunities in order to sustain high-quality support, training, consulting, and performance solutions to your district and its leaders. Because our programs are funded primarily from the private sector, GLISI is making the case for continued private funding and has received encouraging feedback from several of our benefactors. 

Our commitment to you is that GLISI will continue to offer Communities of Learning and Achievement, customized to your needs, and many consultant services at no cost. In order to sustain the organization with the significant reductions we have experienced, we will move to a for-fee structure for other services, including:

• Base Camp and Leadership Summit (click here for application information)

• Local Leadership Institutes, designed and delivered by GLISI

• Contracted consulting

• Facilitation of local and regional leadership induction programs

• Professional developer training

If your district is interested in attending Base Camp and Leadership Summit, accessing our free services, and investing in our other proven, top quality programs and services, contact the following GLISI staff immediately to negotiate services in FY 2010.

• To apply to participate in Leadership Development Programs, including Base Camp and Leadership Summit, Local Leadership Institutes, and Professional Developer Training, contact gale.hulme@glisi.org

• To apply for Leadership Performance Coach training, contact georgia.wilson@glisi.org.

• To apply for support with Leadership Induction Programs, such as Rising Stars Collaboratives™, contact joann.brown@glisi.org

• To arrange Performance Consulting Support, contact scott.cowart@glisi.org

As you plan for the coming year, we hope that you will continue to turn to GLISI to meet your leadership development and consulting support needs. State cuts mean we will be planning our program and staff calendars and allocating our resources carefully. We look forward to serving you in the year ahead and for many years to come.