An overview of the administrative professional’s role, responsibilities and key relationships within a school district.

• Working with the Superintendent
  Explore the administrative assistant’s role in supporting the superintendent, managing priorities and facilitating communication.
• Working with Board Members
  Discuss expectations, communication practices and strategies for effectively supporting governing board members.

Learn the fundamentals of Arizona’s Open Meeting Law and how it applies to governing board meetings, communications, agendas and public participation.

Understand how governing board policies guide district operations and the administrative professional’s role in supporting policy-related work.

• Review ASBA Model Policy Manual
  Become familiar with the structure and purpose of ASBA’s model policy manual.
• PolicyBridge
  Learn how to use PolicyBridge as a resource for accessing and managing district policies.
• Policy Development and Customizations
  Review the process for developing, updating and customizing policies to meet district needs.

Review the administrative responsibilities and processes involved before, during and after a governing board meeting.

• Background Materials Preparation
  Discuss organizing and preparing materials board members need to make informed decisions.
• Agendas — Writing, Posting, etc.
  Review best practices for developing, formatting, publishing and distributing board meeting agendas.
• Call to the Public — Policy, Process, etc.
  Understand the purpose, procedures and policy considerations associated with public comment.
• Voting Methods — Motions, Seconds, Roll Call, etc.
  Review common voting procedures and terminology used during governing board meetings.
• Minutes — Writing, Posting, etc.
  Explore best practices for accurately documenting, finalizing and posting board meeting minutes.

Develop effective communication strategies for working with the individuals and groups an administrative professional interacts with regularly.

Administrative Assistant with:

• Superintendent
  Discuss clear, timely and professional communication with the superintendent.
• Board Members
  Explore appropriate communication practices and maintaining professional relationships with board members.
• Community
  Learn strategies for responding to community questions and serving as a helpful point of contact.
• Staff
  Discuss communication practices that support positive relationships and effective information sharing with district staff.
• Media
  Review appropriate practices for responding to media inquiries and directing requests through established district channels.
• Business Partners
  Explore professional communication and relationship-building with district vendors and community partners.
• Navigating Difficult Conversations

Build skills for handling challenging interactions professionally while protecting relationships, maintaining boundaries and supporting district expectations.

• Confidentiality
  Review expectations for protecting sensitive, confidential and legally protected information.
• Social Media Issues
  Discuss common social media challenges and appropriate approaches to professional and district-related concerns.

Introduce the Capstone Project, review expectations and requirements and provide guidance for selecting a topic and developing the project throughout the course.

Homework Assignment: The Art of Presenting video — GCU

Gain practical insight from experienced superintendents about supporting district leadership and understanding the superintendent’s role.

• Superintendent Transitions
  Learn how administrative professionals can support continuity, communication and organization during a superintendent transition.

Gain firsthand perspective on effective working relationships between administrative professionals and governing board members.

• Onboarding Newly Elected or Appointed Board Members
  Explore ways administrative professionals can help new board members understand district processes, meeting procedures and available resources.

Develop a foundational understanding of school finance and the financial information administrative professionals may encounter in their roles.

Reflect on workplace practices, professional experiences and strategies that can contribute to—or detract from—effective administrative support.

Explore technology tools, digital workflows and practical strategies that can improve organization, efficiency, communication and productivity.

Develop an understanding of leadership and how administrative professionals can demonstrate leadership within their roles.

• Types of Leadership
  Explore different leadership approaches and how they may apply in a school district setting.
• Your Personal Leadership Story and Goals
  Reflect on personal leadership experiences, strengths and goals for professional growth.
• Combating Burnout
  Identify strategies for maintaining energy, effectiveness and healthy professional boundaries.

Explore the superintendent search process and the administrative professional’s potential role in supporting a successful search

Develop strategies for providing professional, responsive and consistent service to students, families, staff, board members and community members.

Homework Assignments:

• Prepare Capstone Project presentation.
• Complete the Customer Service video

Share practical resources, tools and ideas that participants can take back and apply in their districts.

• Templates
  Exchange useful templates and resources that support administrative responsibilities.
• Forms
  Share examples of forms and documents that can improve consistency and efficiency.
• Stuff That Works and Stuff That Does Not
  Discuss practical lessons learned, successful approaches and strategies that may need improvement or reconsideration.

Participants will present their completed Capstone Projects, demonstrating their learning and application of concepts from the ASAP Certification Course.

Celebrate participants’ accomplishments, recognize their completion of the program and officially conclude the ASAP Certification Course.