From the coordinator
Alive and well: A perspective on budget cuts
by Ann Zweber Werner, Ph.D.
Since the news of the University of Minnesota budget
cuts hit the airwaves and newsprint we have been asked if the
Licensure and Leadership Development Program for Educational
Administrators will continue. The answer is a resounding YES! We are
here and healthy and plan to stay that way. Like everyone else at the
University, the Department of Educational Policy and Administration is
facing our share of budget cuts. Collaboratively, many creative minds
have identified ways to reduce spending and increase income without
cutting programs. Within our department all of our core faculty and
staff will remain intact. We are committed to the blending of
knowledge and skill development for all of our learners, and to that
end we will continue to foster partnerships with field-based
practitioners and University professors in a variety of ways. We will
remain focused on providing opportunities to bring personal meaning to
information for the acquisition of knowledge, to reflective practice,
to skill development for the application of administrative
competencies in leadership capacities, and to fostering attitudes and
dispositions that will lead to successful human interactions.
Budget cutting is a systemic challenge assisted by a
creative lens. For 20 of my 21 years as a principal in junior high and
high schools, I have faced the challenge of budget cutting.
Admittedly, it was a nice reprieve to be shielded from that process
during my first years at the University of Minnesota. September 11,
the nation and state’s weaker economy, and the resulting reduced
household incomes for many individuals as well as reduced tax base for
government have touched most of us in profound ways. The resulting
challenges are affecting both the public and the private sectors, and
the University is no exception. With two decades of history to reflect
on for this round of financial challenges there are a few lessons I
have learned:
-
In the end, things are seldom as bad as our worst
scenarios projected when initial word of budget cuts are presented.
Therefore, don’t worry or cause panic with the troops—breathe
through the pain!
-
Don’t make plans to go to the unemployment office
until the time comes—or advise others to do so. Lay-off notices
signaling the possibility of layoff are a legality and, through
attrition and other factors, many of those who are issued notices
never lose a day of work. At all times be positive, sensitive,
supportive, and kind!
-
If you seize the opportunity, budget reductions can
trigger some of our most creative and revitalizing opportunities for
change and improvement. It is easier to encourage everyone to board
the same ship when the masses are treading water! Have a clear
vision of your destination and an openness to considering and
challenging multiple mental models.
-
Even when we think we can’t do with anything less,
we do and tend to do it well. Educators have a propensity to do
their personal best when it comes to students—no matter what the
conditions. Teachers and administrators should be honored for their
resiliency!
As we continue along our path of review and renew, we
are committed to maintaining our reputation of providing strong
programs for licensure and leadership development for our current and
future learners. Thank you to all of the practitioners throughout the
state who make contributions in such significant ways to the
preparation of Minnesota’s educational administrators through
mentoring, in program advisory capacities, as guest lecturers or
course instructors, and as panel members for the exit evaluation of
aspiring administrators. Your contributions are of utmost importance
and deeply valued and appreciated.
Ann Werner is director of
the Licensure and Leadership Development for Educational
Administrators program. She also serves on the Board of School
Administrators. Prior to joining the University she served as a
secondary school principal for 21 years. She may be reached at
werne023@umn.edu. |
