LW School District operates without written job descriptions - Administration delays implementation

LWSD ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN PLANNING TO WRITE "JOB DESCRIPTIONS" SINCE 2009:

OPINION:  Lake Washington School District Administration and staff currently operates and manages without written job descriptions. As early as November 18, 2009, Communications Director Reith wrote, "Formal standardized job descriptions are currently being revised."

On August 17, 2011, Communications Directer, Kathryn Reith writes:

"While the district is working on formalizing job descriptions for district positions, we have not yet completed that task for the positions listed on the organizational chart."

The benefits of job descriptions, beyond "tasks and duties" include: recruiting plans, performance development, quality and safety programs, compliance with laws and regulations, balancing work assignments, position postings and advertisements and revised planning within your performance management system. The question has arisen: how do administrators do their job when they don't know what's expected of them?

In an August, 2011 Board meeting, Kimball reported a 9% employee turnover rate. The Administration has never conducted formal exit interviews; In the August, 2011 meeting, the Board agreed exit interviews should take place. As of 11/18/2011, no action has been reported by the Administration.

Opinion By Bob Yoder
Photo:  By cartoonstock.com
Source: "How to write an effective job description and role profile." By Michelle Fischer