was sure that whatever subject she broached with them would be kept
confidential.
All assistant principals need such sounding boards. Whenever they
have an idea that they think will be good for their department, they need to
speak one-on-one with their sounding boards. Most of the time, they will
find that this gives them ways to improve the idea or positively present
it. However, on some occasions, they will find that their sounding boards
feel the idea is just dumb and will not be accepted. If this is the case, the
assistant principal should either scrap the idea entirely or table it for the
future, after he has taken the time to lay the groundwork for it properly.
As a principal, Ms. Rivera expanded her number of sounding boards.
When she spoke with them about the credit for passing exams concept,
they saw the positives for the students and school, but felt there would be
significant staff opposition. It was because of these sounding boards that
she made an extra effort to cite and maintain the importance of the teacher
in classroom instruction. Therefore, the draft presented already took into
account the opposition it would face.
All school leaders need sounding boards. They are a major part of lay-
ing the groundwork. They will help a school leader decide when an idea
should be proposed or even if should be proposed at all.
A not uncommon issue in schools is how to determine who may partici-
pate in extracurricular activities. If a student is failing classes, should he
be permitted to be on the student council? To star in the school production
of Bye Bye Birdie? To be on the yearbook staff? Principal Thelen’s expe-
rience with participation in the school fashion show will give you some
ideas as to how you can handle this issue.
The culmination of the school year at his academic-vocational high school
was the annual fashion show. All vocational departments were involved:
The senior fashion art students created the sketches for designs; the senior
fashion design students created the patterns and made the garments; the se-
nior merchandising students helped with publicity, sales, and so forth.
The show was presented three times. The first was for invited members
of the apparel industry, including all members of the industry advisory
board, industry supporters of the school, and their friends and business as-
sociates. All staff members were also invited to this show, which featured
catered refreshments funded by the advisory board. The other shows were
Lay the Groundwork 113