Operational Excellence

Maintaining a thriving workforce, optimal facilities, and fiscal responsibility

Operational Excellence in Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 is demonstrated in several different ways. It is shown through our direct service to schools and students; our adherence to sound financial practices; our commitment to optimal facility and infrastructure enhancement; as well as how we recruit, hire, and develop the best staff in education. Measuring our performance in these key areas of operation is an important part of our ongoing effort to support the success of our students, demonstrate responsibility to the greater community and our assurance to continuous improvement.

Recruit and hire quality and diverse staff

A1. The district implements intentional recruitment efforts including building relationships and effective networks of educational partners in higher education who share similar values and produce high quality educators.

A2. The district creates promotional materials that reflect the expectations of the school district and demonstrate the value of quality and diversity within the system.

A3. The district attracts a diverse staff reflecting, to the extent possible, the diversity of the student body.

A4. Each incoming staff member engages in hiring and onboarding activities that reflect the district’s mission, vision, and values, as well as internal processing efficiencies.

A5. Each student is exposed to highly qualified and licensed professionals hired with demonstrated competencies to achieve the district’s mission, vision, and values.

Enhance collective efficacy

B1. Each student experiences staff members who receive regular job-embedded professional development activities focused on relevant competencies and strategies described in the strategic plan, as well as the district professional learning values.

B2. Each teacher explores pedagogy that engage and challenge students to develop proficiency with foundational skills and connect these skills with student interests and real life applications.

B3. Each student is supported by staff who receive social-emotional, self care and diversity training.

B4. Each staff member is engaged, dedicated to and motivated by their work, and part of a learning community that shares knowledge, grows together, and sets realistic goals.

B5. Each school practices common data review processes and collaboration structures that make informed decisions about effective teaching and learning processes.

Develop optimal learning spaces

C1. The district conducts an annual review of the Capital Renovation Plan to support optimal learning environments to meet the changing needs of students and staff.

C2. The district develops a blueprint of facility standards and expectations, including how the district’s learning spaces will be used to support the strategic plan goals.

C3. The district manages the effects of student population shifts to ensure that all students, teachers, and staff have access to quality facilities, resources, and instructional programs.

C4. Each school has flexible facility designs that allow all stakeholders to re-configure spaces to meet the needs of specific populations, as well as the learning environments needed to achieve the goals of the strategic plan.

C5. Each student learns in attractive, safe, and engaging spaces and grounds that engage them in active and meaningful ways.

Advance fiscal productivity

D1. The district projects costs and manages operations associated with Strategic Plan initiatives within budgetary limitations to ensure successful planning and allocation of resources.

D2. The district manages resources efficiently, effectively, and transparently to enhance learning and demonstrate trust in the community.

D3. The district plans, manages, monitors, and reports spending to provide decision makers and the community with a reliable, accurate, and complete view of the financial performance of the educational system at all levels.

D4. The district uses the Smarter School Spending process to align resources (people, time, and money) with instructional initiatives for improving student achievement.

D5. The district will demonstrate fiscal responsibility by maintaining a balanced budget and align fund balances within School Board policy parameters.