THE PLACE TO BE

Creating the culture to retain staff

It starts with purpose. If you ask Matthew Tague to define what having a strong organizational culture means in today’s K-12 educational setting, everything begins and ends with purpose. As the Procurement Manager for the Saint Louis Public Schools in Missouri, Tague, ICP, is responsible for supply chain and sourcing the system’s school district, which serves nearly 43,000 students at 56 elementary schools, 21 middle schools, 11 high schools and four special schools.

When it comes to fostering and maintaining the culture that is designed to support its students and staff, Tague believes the Saint Louis Public Schools thrives because of its commitment to continuing education opportunities. “Unlike the private sector, or even the not-for-profit sector, where success is measured by cost savings or contract compliance, public education’s success is measured by student success. Our commitment to the students and staff can be the binder for our team’s efforts to bring value. Top performing teams stay together when a shared vision is adopted.”

Along with continuing to seek educational opportunities, part of its cultural team building involves networking with similar organizations to share best practices, including the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) and The Institute for Public Procurement (NIGP), to name just two. While every team member has specific areas of operations, each will cross train with each other in all areas to ensure everything is covered.

For his team’s part, Tague employs an Agile style of project management, which involves using 10-minute stand-up meetings and a KanBan board. This way, the whole team can clearly see—in a very visual way—what is happening with each team member and the group. This focus—on the small, but still big picture—has dramatically reduced the communication gaps the team may have had.

“Teams operate at peak efficiency when they all work in unison,” Tague says. “While it may be hard to achieve, it can be done when everyone knows each other’s role and importance of maintaining continuity through whatever the situation is at the time. If the pandemic taught us anything in the supply chain, it was that we must work together and be open to suggestions that are foreign to us. Creativity can and does work in a structured transparent procurement environment.”

“Teams operate at peak efficiency when they all work in unison. While it may be hard to achieve, it can be done when everyone knows each other’s role and importance of maintaining continuity through whatever the situation is at the time.”

Matthew Tague, ICP, Procurement Manager, Procurement Office, Saint Louis Public Schools

There is no question that the importance of investing in staff development is one of the keys to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment, especially in a time when the K-12 world is marked by a growing focus on technology integration, personalized learning and social-emotional support for students. By aligning team values with a shared purpose, district leadership teams can help boost employee satisfaction and longevity.

“The issues that challenge my team are outside influences,” Tague says. “The media loves to highlight any shortcomings of the school system and those elected to lead. This can be detrimental to staff morale. We must remain positive, focus on the 99 things that went well and work to learn from the one thing that did not. You do that by offering the freedom to choose from a broad base of learning. Discuss the needs of the organization along with the wants of the individual. This empowerment along with other ways to give autonomy to team members will go far in keeping a motivated and educated team.”

Trust. Collaboration. Commitment.

Located in Tacoma, Washington, the Tacoma School District No. 10, commonly called Tacoma Public Schools, features 36 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 11 high schools and four early learning centers. As the third-largest in Washington, Tacoma Public Schools serves some 28,000 students PK-12 and has nearly 5,000 employees.

As one of the key components in the district’s continual quest for educational perfection, Cheri Estrada, Director of Purchasing, understands the value of having everyone pulling in the same direction. She credits Tacoma’s strong organizational culture to its commitment to building trust, collaboration and having a shared commitment to student success.

“We embrace a growth mindset, where our staff feel safe to learn from mistakes and are encouraged to improve both professionally and personally,” Estrada says. “This kind of environment fosters innovation, open communication and a sense of belonging, which is crucial in retaining talented staff. When educators feel supported and empowered to grow, they are more likely to stay and contribute positively to the school community.”

“We embrace a growth mindset, where our staff feel safe to learn from mistakes and are encouraged to improve both professionally and personally. This kind of environment fosters innovation, open communication and a sense of belonging.”

Cheri Estrada, Director of Purchasing, Tacoma School District

At the heart of Tacoma Public Schools’ success is the collaboration factor. By creating opportunities for cross-departmental and cross-school partnerships, staff are able to learn from diverse perspectives and expertise. This involves encouraging staff to share their experiences, attend industry conferences or engage in mentorship programs enhancing their development. It also sets aside time each month for the team to connect, discuss challenges, and celebrate accomplishments.

“This fosters a sense of community, ensures staff feel heard and provides us with a broader view of our roles in the district’s success,” Estrada says. “It helps us feel valued and inspired to stay long-term. Our district actively promotes professional growth by providing funding for conferences, industry-related events and online courses. We encourage collaboration with other districts to share best practices and learn from one another.”

On any given month, you will find team meetings that offer a space for open communication and reflection, which enables everyone to support one another and celebrate both small and big wins. Meeting giveaways might include gift cards, a pizza lunch or just taking time to acknowledge achievements. “Leaders can empower staff by providing them with resources, time and autonomy to pursue their professional growth. Offering access to educational opportunities and encouraging attendance at relevant conferences, and supporting collaboration with other districts are all effective strategies. When employees feel trusted to take charge of their own growth and have access to the right tools, they are more motivated to invest in their development.” Creating a culture that recognizes staff in the K-12 landscape is essential for maintaining continuity and quality in education. By fostering an environment of support, professional development and meaningful engagement, schools can empower educators, leading to improved outcomes across the board.