How to use a GPS for your charter school

Last time has been too long and I wrote about your strategic plan and developing a GPS to follow it.  Once you have that GPS, how do you use it?

Think about the way you usually use a GPS.

First, you have to have it with you.  It doesn't make a lot of sense to go on a hike and leave the GPS on the counter top.  In other words, if you don't look at the tools you've developed for following your strategic plan, then they aren't going to help you.

Second, you have to make sure you bring the batteries.  I went hiking a few weeks ago, and forgot to check my GPS battery before the hike.  Fortunately, I was able to nurse the battery in the unit till the end of the hike, but about 2/3 of the way through the hike, I got the low battery warning.  Make sure that everyone is on board with using the documents because they are the right documents, not just because you said so.  Make sure that the documents have "power" to direct your decisions.

Third, you have to use the GPS appropriately.  Mark points on the trail.  Use your board minutes to note times that you've looked at the documents and noted specific deviations to your strategic plan.  Make sure you note whether or not you are on plan.  Don't just look at the documents then ignore them.  Make sure there is a written trail.

Those are just a couple of hints and you move down the path toward a successful school.