Creating a District Culture Conducive for

InnovationDr. Kevin Miller - Croswell-Lexington Community

SchoolsDr. Dave Richards - Fraser Public Schools

Croswell-Lexington● A rural district 20 miles north of Port

Huron● Two small cities; Croswell & Lexington● 2,350 students; one high, one middle,

two elementary schools; early childhood center

● Agriculture, tourism, commuters to Port Huron and beyond (metro Detroit)

● Proud people, and proud of their schools

● Really don’t know what they don’t know

Fraser ● Urban district in Macomb County● 5,400 students with 1,700 being

Choice● One high, one middle, 6 elementary, 1

early childhood center● 2 miles X 2 miles● Tremendous Pride in Programs and

Traditions

Learning to Change - Changing to Learn

“The Death of Education and the Dawn of

Learning”- Stephen Heppell

Our New Learning Realities● Teachers are Everywhere● Learning is in Abundance● Students Are Naturally Learning in the

NOW● Choice is Driving Competition and

InnovationActivity:● Describe today’s learners?● What are we doing to create

classrooms and campuses that engage today’s students?

Croswell-Lexington● The district in 2006-07

○ Solid fund balance, but declining enrollment○ Good schools, old buildings, not innovative or

creative

● Strategic Plan in 07-08○ Resulted in $20 million bond for

new/improved facilities○ Resulted in a desire to go from good to great

Croswell-Lexington● Innovation to reach goals

○ College-ready; Globally-competitive○ All goals were student-focused○ Started with the end-goal in mind, worked

back● Upping the ante in 08-09

○ More rigor; no more Val/Sal, went to Senior Scholars

○ Honors = GPA & ACT○ Weighted AP courses○ Moved to trimester format to allow students to

take electives along with rigor, ACT Prep (Gateway)

○ Our top students are now are TOP students

Croswell-Lexington● Innovation to reach goals

○ 9% of Sanilac County residents have a degree○ Early College program started in 2009-10○ About 1/5 of each graduating class in the

program● Passed $20 million in bonds

○ Improved facilities for learning○ “If you build it, they will come”○ Construction 10-11, 11-12

● 1-1 Initiative in 2012-13

Croswell-Lexington● Year-round school July 8, 2013

○ Blown away, as 262 register● Agreement to manage a neighboring

district, summer and fall of 2013● BW Virtual School, Fall of 2013

○ It’s about opportunities for all kids

Fraser2005 –● Came to Fraser High School as the principal.● Staff members did not have email or teacher

computers at the time● Bond issue had recently passed to renovate the

facilities and to add an initial level of technology● Everything was done with paper, pencil, sand

tables, abacus, etc.● HOWEVER – VERY STRONG PLC environment and

a culture of collaboration

Fraser2006 – 2008 - principal● Over the course of the next few years, began

introducing teacher workstations, interactive white boards, student response systems, etc.

2008 - 2010 - principal● Began important conversations about the need

to change our schools and our delivery of instruction.

● “Public Schools will be the next “Big 3””● Began building capacity amongst staff around

the need to focus on the 4 C’s in our instruction● Staff requested to begin implementing blended

learning at the high school

Fraser2010● Became superintendent and immediately began

the strategic planning process.● Conducted individual interviews with every

school board member - “Vision, agendas, priorities…”

● Developed a new mission and vision statement

Fraser2010● The Strategic Plan opened the door to a

conversation about a need for another bond issue focused on technology ($19.9M with $11M set for tech)

● Supt request 4 evaluations per year by Board of Education based on goals set forth in strategic plan – shared vision and shared leadership

Fraser2011● Bond issue passes yet we tell the community no

devices will be purchased for nearly 1 year while we complete the necessary steps to prepare our staff instructionally.

2011-2012● Full wireless access in all buildings, athletic

facilities and home bleachers of football stadium.

Fraser2012-2013 – ● Began deployment of 1:1 iPads for grades 3 -12,

classroom sets for grades PreK – 2. ● Over 5,300 iPads deployed in less than 3 months.● Apple TV installed● MacBooks and iPads for all staff

A Tale of Two Districts● What are the common/consistent

strategies utilized to build capacity and support?

Driving Forces ActivityWhat are the WHY factors in the need for

innovation within your district?

Visioning ActivityIF there are no barriers - What would you

do and WHY would you do it?

DREAM - THINK BIG

If you don’t do these things, what will your district look like in three years?

Where Do I Start?• Begin Having Crucial Conversations

o Inside-Out• Begin Putting Action to Words

o Go Slow to Go Fast – Early Successo Be Consistent, Do A Few Things Well• Begin with the End in Mind

o Project Timelines that are Attainable

New Normal Is Innovation

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