Auxiliary Adviser"Providing Services That Power Education" |
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| Volume 4, Issue 6 |
January
2004
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In This Issue:
Just Relax
Auxiliary Services Division Awards
McNeal Named National Superintendent of the
Year Finalist
Mark Your Calendar
Thank You
Status of Maintenance Excellence Initiatives
Register with E-Schools
Training
Schedule
In an effort to promote good health, Facilities Safety Officer Doug Burd is distributing stress sensors to Auxiliary Services employees. Although you cannot always prevent a stressful situation, you can control your response.
Using biofeedback, the sensors help identify activities that are a source of stress for you. Simply hold your thumb on the pad for 10 seconds and read the color-coded response. Black indicates stress, brown is tense, green means calm, and blue is relaxed.
There are numerous ways to relax; experiment to find what works best for you. Remember, there is a marked walking track around the Rock Quarry Road complex, as well as at most schools. Below is a list of several relaxation exercises from the Stress Management and Relaxation System, (Triamics Corp., USA, 1985).
Head/Shoulder Tension
First, relax your shoulders, and then let your head drop and
open your mouth slightly. Gently close your eyelids. Relax
your eyes and forehead.
Tense/Relax Method
Begin by tightly clenching your fists for five to 10 seconds.
Focus on the tension, and then slowly ease up until your fists
are completely relaxed. Continue this exercise sequentially
by tensing the muscles in your forearms, shoulders, abdomen
and finally, your legs.
Breathing/Visualization
Sit comfortably in a relaxed position and close your eyes.
Concentrate on breathing in through your nose and out through
your mouth. Take slow, complete breaths. Each time you inhale,
picture the word "RELAX" in your mind. As you continue the
slow breathing, visualize yourself relaxing under a tropical
sun on the smooth white sand of a quiet beach, soothed by
the sun and sounds of the ocean and distant sea gulls.
Auxiliary Services Division Awards
Most Years of Service: Clellie Langdon, CNS, 40+ years
The "Soul" of the Shoe Awards: Karen Taylor, Barbara Hatcher, Tammy Pearce, Jeff Young
Front Runners Award: Facilities Planning & Construction Department
Mary Long Beasley Award: Elaine Hunt
Winner's Circle Award: Child Nutrition Department
Wind Beneath My Wings Awards: Susan Harrison, Anne Gallagher, Kristin Wood
Award of Appreciation: Willie McPherson
Newest Employees (a tie): Tony King, David McDougal
For a list of departmental awards and years of service pins presented at the Dec. 17, 2003 luncheon, contact Mazie Smith (856-8048 or mssmith@wcpss.net).
Bill McNeal Finalist for National Superintendent
of the Year 2004
Michael Evans, Senior Director, Communications
The North Carolina Association of School Administrators' 2004 Superintendent of the Year is one of four finalists for the National Superintendent of the Year award. William R. McNeal, Jr., Superintendent of Wake County Public Schools, was named NCASA's 2004 Superintendent of the Year in October and became North Carolina's nominee for the national honor, coordinated by the American Association of School Administrators.
McNeal and the other finalists will go to Washington D.C. with their spouses in early January for two days with the judging committee and others who will make the choice for this honor. The 2004 Superintendent of the Year will be presented at the AASA Conference in February in San Francisco.
"NCASA selected Bill McNeal as our national nominee and state winner because of the leadership he has provided in a large, urban school district," said Katherine W. Joyce, NCASA Interim Executive Director. "Bill has worked to promote academic growth and respect for diversity, while managing issues related to rapid growth and building community support. These leadership qualities personify the National Superintendent of the Year and make Bill the ideal candidate to win that award."
A 29-year veteran educator, McNeal has spent his entire educational career with the Wake County Public School System. During that time he served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and associate superintendent. He was named superintendent of Wake County public schools in 2000. McNeal holds bachelor's and master's degrees from North Carolina Central University and is in doctoral studies at North Carolina State University.
"I am surprised and thrilled to be given this additional honor. However, in reality, this is a recognition of the outstanding work that our students, teachers and staff are doing everyday in classrooms across Wake County," McNeal said. "I am thankful for their effort and constant support. To be recognized by one's peers across the state is indeed an honor; to be considered on a national level is personally, a highlight of my career."
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (WCPSS Holiday)
Jan. 19
Valentine's Day
Feb. 14
Please take a moment to thank David Brewer and David King for taking it upon themselves to paint and fix-up the Refrigeration Shop so that it may be used as a training area.
Status of Maintenance Excellence
Initiatives
Maintenance and Operations has significantly improved its service to schools since adopting Maintenance Excellence initiatives last spring. The department established a regional maintenance program, reorganized its structure, and implemented an integrated, computerized work order system (MAXIMO). Outside consultant Carter Burgess performed a facilities assessment and inventoried equipment, and consultant Life Cycle Engineering assessed maintenance operating procedures and helped develop a strategic plan for improvement.
The regional maintenance program involves establishing satellite maintenance locations within existing schools. On average, four employees maintain a cluster of five to seven schools, with four or five clusters making up a region.
"The program is a success because it brings the workforce closer to the work - quickening response times - and improves communications with the schools," said Joe Desormeaux, senior director of Maintenance. Currently, four maintenance regions - north, south, east and west - are up and running, with the final, central region to begin in February.
By the middle of last fiscal year, M&O reorganized its structure by cross-training employees, combining trades, and reducing the number of job titles. M&O developed new job descriptions and a career matrix, which shows the steps necessary to move from craftsman to master craftsman (if a position is available).
Since implementation of these initiatives, the number of work orders completed a month increased nine percent; emergency work orders decreased by 10 percent; and average response time was reduced by 20 percent.
Carter Burgess assessed 61 campuses and inventoried approximately 18,000 pieces of equipment at 69 schools last fall. During the process, the consultant identified $170 million in deficiencies and gave WCPSS an overall facility condition index of 0.06, or fair. The school system will continue assessing 25 percent of campuses annually.
Although M&O has come a long way in improving its services to schools, the department scored 224 on its initial assessment in June 2002 - meaning it is entirely reactive. M&O's goal is to reach 490 on the Maintenance Excellence scale by June 2004, and continue becoming more proactive and preventive. To aid improvement, M&O developed a strategic plan, which in addition to the initiatives already in place, includes working with focus teams and an advisory board, and following a Standard of Care Agreement between department and school staff.
Register with E-Schools
Beth Ann Williams, Operations Specialist, Organizational
Development
Organizational Development has incorporated E-Schools as a method for Auxiliary Services employees to register on-line for upcoming division training classes/workshops. E-Schools will make our course catalog accessible by website or via telephone 24 hours a day.
To access the website go to: https://ero3.eschoolsolutions.com/.
Click "Log In"
Enter the Organization ID: 42358
Enter the User ID: your social security number without dashes
Enter the Pin: the last four digits of your social security
number
Click "Login" Click "Course Catalog"
Click on the down arrow for "Curriculum" and select "Auxiliary
Services"
You will see the classes that have been entered so far.
Although I anticipate posting all classes by Jan. 19, you
may go ahead and register for classes beginning Jan. 12.
I will continue to use the Compliance Suite training program. However, effective Feb. 1 all training registration will be handled through E-Schools.
If you have questions or concerns, please call me at 856-8018.
Stay Informed
The Auxiliary Adviser is e-mailed to subscribers in the school system; and posted on the intranet, Internet and Auxiliary Services Tao bulletin board. A hard copy of the Adviser is also posted on bulletin boards in the Maintenance and Facilities Buildings, placed in each maintenance shop's box, and one is sent to the head custodian and child nutrition staff at each school.
To have the newsletter e-mailed to you directly, simply send an e-mail with "subscribe" in the subject line, to kwood@wcpss.net.
Auxiliary Services Division
Vision
Providing Services That Power Education
Mission Statement
Provide quality facilities and support services to ensure
safe, healthy, inviting and optimal learning environments.
Goals
1) Recruit, develop and retain a qualified and high quality
workforce.
2) Provide and maintain quality facilities and support services
that result in a safe and healthy learning environment.
3) Effectively communicate successes, challenges and needs.