OASBO is proud to partner with the Ohio Department of Education and the State of Ohio in developing leaders for Ohio’s schools. It is through their support and shared financial commitment that leadership development at this unprecedented level is possible. It is the responsibility of the Academy, and its candidates, to demonstrate that trust. It is our obligation to the State of Ohio, and to each other, to seize this opportunity and use it to its fullest.

The Ohio Association of School Business Officials believes that the Leadership Academy is unlike any other leadership program in the integrity of its construction, its focus on developing a combination of competencies that contribute to effective performance at work, and in its ability to strengthen the role of the school business official as both a professional and a leader.

The guided classroom work through the Academy helps each candidate make personal gains in self-understanding, confidence, problem-solving ability, and insight into both personal and professional factors affecting job performance. The Academy supports candidates as they muster the courage to try new behaviors and roles.

However, it is recognized that simply learning in the classroom is not enough. Research shows that the practical application of learned skills completes the process-we learn what we do. To that end, the Leadership Academy is requesting a final project of each candidate. This project is intended to assist each candidate in learning how to manage their own transformation from individual contributor to a leader.

Each Leadership Academy candidate will identify a project that, upon completion, demonstrates a learned leadership skill. The candidate will develop the project over a six-month period. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss with their classmates their progress in achieving project goals and obtaining feedback on their action plans on two separate occasions. The project will follow these guidelines:

Project Objective

To demonstrate a learned leadership skill.

Candidate Responsibilities

create a process and implement a design reflecting this concept
provide a summary report of findings with written comments about performance from those who worked within or were affected by the project
share findings with project participants
evaluate efforts
develop a plan for improvement
share findings through a written report with OASBO Board

Format for the final report will be a step-by-step demonstration of how the project fulfilled each of the 9 project parameters.

Target Audience

Staff
Board
Administrative Team
Community
Regional Unit
OASBO

Project Process

The project must identify a problem and develop an intervention-the problem must be real and not contrived.
The project must be visible and contain a component of group dynamics it can not be conducted in isolation.
The project must demonstrate the utilization of one of the key concepts related to leadership.
The project can be conducted by a group of fellow classmates.
The project can be on going but an evaluation must be submitted at the end of six months.
Each project will be evaluated on its own merit.
Any supporting evidence of the project (such as surveys, forms, photo’s, etc.) may be attached as an addendum to the report.
While the project may be a group effort, the final report must demonstrate each participant’s contribution.
The final report may also demonstrate the flexibility to combine or adjust learned leadership skills as organizational circumstances dictate.

It is the right of the Leadership Academy, and therefore OASBO, to reprint any/all documentation and/or reports resulting from a Leadership Academy Independent Project.

Understanding that resources in Ohio’s schools are precious, both financial and personnel, OASBO and its Leadership Academy is committed to providing the very best leadership training including the incorporation of current research. It is the responsibility of each candidate to demonstrate how their own transformation will take place.