The Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327 board of education has taken the last formal step in its series of meetings involving the successful hiring of new superintendent, Josh Lanning.

During an Aug. 30 special meeting, board members developed a set of short-term goals for Lanning — and Lanning was given a chance to voice his expectations.

“We believe it’s really important that you get some goals and expectations between the board and the superintendent,” said Gary Sechrist of the Kansas Association of School Boards.

Sechrist led the board though a series of questions and exercises designed to draw out goals and expectations.

“That is awkward, but it’s his only opportunity to do that,” Sechrist said.

Sechrist said communication is key to building a successful team.

Sechrist noted the board establishes the vision, mission and goals of the district and Lanning’s job is to develop and implement the plans, and monitor the progress to achieve these goals.

He said the board evaluates the results of the plans for progress and it always gets to decide at a convened meeting. The superintendent, on the other hand, always responds to the board.

After completing the series of exercises, the board came up with a list of expectations for Lanning:

• Being visible within the district’s communities.

• Timely communication with the board.

• Help maintain morale in the district with teachers and staff.

• Lead USD 327 to be the best.

• Be fiscally responsible.

• Have an open door policy.

• Get to know the buildings and keep up on maintenance.

• Make USD 327 a district, not three separate buildings. Then it was Lanning’s turn.

“Having gone through this and also talking to Mr. Sechrist, I had an idea ahead of time,” Lanning said. “There might be some similarities.”

Lanning’s five expectations of the board are:

• Being available, being open. An open door-type of relationship and communication.

“You understand this community a little bit better than I do,” he said. “I’ll be learning it, trying to get involved. You represent to me kind of the heart of the community, knowing what things are important and what things are valuable.”

• No surprises.

“If you know something that will impact my job as a superintendent, let me know,” Lanning said. “If I know something that is going to affect your job as a board member I’ll do the same.”

• Follow the lines of communication.

“I want to sit down with you as a board and figure out exactly what those lines should be,” Lanning said. “You should always be the last ones to make a decision.”

• Use your talents.

“The district is only as good as the people that are around the leadership,” Lanning said. “All of you bring something unique or special to the district and when we set goals and when we’re making the vision as a group, using those talents will aid the process.”

• A student first mentality.

“When we go in and we’re trying to make decisions, you’ll be bombarded by the community and not always are they going to be thinking from a student first mentality,” Lanning said. “That’s what I try to focus on. That’s my whole job. I got into education because of students. I try to think from a student first type of mentality each time. That helps drive schools to be the best that they are.”

Sechrist said by law the board is required to evaluate Lanning twice this year.

“Your evaluation is whatever you want it to be,” he told the board. “There are no state requirements.”

The first evaluation has to occur within the 60th day of the semester, which is typically the third or fourth week of October. The second evaluation takes place within the 60th day of the second semester, which is usually spring break.

“If you wait until the October meeting to talk about his evaluation you’re already too late,” Sechrist said.

Sechrist suggested the board concentrate on how well Lanning is working on its expectations and leading on the short term goals he has been given.

“It leads to great conversation,” Sechrist said. “It’s what you want from him.”