GASCONADE C-4 ELEMENTARY

Work Force Reduction and Class System Change

By Jason ReynoldsWalden University

Organizations, Innovations, and Change EDUC 6105October 23, 2011

Gasconade C-4 Elementary Staff

History and Culture

• Falcon, Missouri• Country School• Small Student Population• Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade• Small Class Size

Gasconade River

Gasconade C-4 Elementary Changes

Staff Reduction

Due to the need to reduce the school budget by $50,000. The 2011-2012 faculty was reduced from 21 staff members to 15 staff members.

Class System Changes

In order to accommodate the reduction of the teaching staff a few of the classrooms had to combine, making certain teachers teach two grade levels.

Implementation of Changes

According to Reynolds (personal communication, October 14, 2011) Changes took place at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year. Staff was made aware of the changes at the end of the 2010-2011 school year but did not know the full effects it was going to have on their school day.

Pre-K Classroom

Resistance to Change and Overcoming it

Resistance

• Feelings of loss of trust • Feelings of changes

becoming extra work on staff• Group changes and possible

loss• Lack of understanding• Increase use of sick days• Attitudes of only doing what

is necessary, nothing extra• Thinking changes are not

necessary (Bligh, 2011)

Overcoming Resistance

• Proper communication• Leader being a role model• Involving staff in change creation• Leaders making self available to

employees for questions and concerns

• Everyone involved in the change working together to make it a success

Sustaining the Change

• Clear, concise and honest communication• Explaining the rational for the change• Create coalitions and identify resistors• Tailor communication efforts• Help people see where they fit in• Create small wins with short-term gains• Provide outlets for loss, i.e. a new beginnings

party• Leaders serve as role models (Bligh, 2011)

Evaluation of Effectiveness

• Proper communication

• Dealing with staff resistance

• Others concerns and ideas addressed

• Leaders being role models

Conclusion

Gasconade C-4 Library

References• Beach, Lee Roy (2006). Leadership and the Art of Change: A Practical Guide to

Organizational Transformation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc.generation.

• Bligh, M. (Producer.) (2011). Resistance to Change. [Video Podcast.] Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?

CourseID=5693687&Survey=1&47=10635283&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

• Bligh, M. (Producer.) (2011). Sustaining Change. [Video Podcast.] Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5693687&Survey=1&4

7=10635283&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

• Padgaonkar, A. (2007). Fostering innovation. Leadership Excellence, 24(5), 15.