Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion seeking advice re school communications

Our district has a new superintendent. I recently read the district's updated strategic plan and was pleased to see an increased interest in pursuing grant opportunities. I have no experience in this area, but would like to learn, and I have strong research and proofreading skills. I would like to offer my assistance to the district, both for my own strategic purposes and simply to volunteer where I can really make a difference. I was just about to hit "Send" on an email to the new supt., but thought I should ask here first about the appropriateness of going straight to the top.

I have no idea who specifically will be in charge of the grant program, and my proofreading skills are of course not limited to this one area, so if she forwards my email district-wide I may get some takers for something completely different. However, I could also be inadvertently stepping on the toes of every person below her in the hierarchy.

Serendipitously, I read this line from Shakespeare's Henry VI just this morning: "The trust I have is in my innocence, and therefore am I bold and resolute." It reminded me that I have been successful in this district in the past by surging forth despite my ignorance - gathering information not normally shared, avoiding an unhelpful link in the chain of command, etc.

So, in this case, should I proceed boldly, or should I watch my step? How badly could things go wrong if I send my email?

I say send the email. I don't see whose toes you'd be stepping on.

Within the walls of our school, I am careful to work with teachers first, and then follow-up with the principal... I'm quite mindful of stepping on toes here.

But at the district level, unless you were complaining about some issue in the school (which should go to the principal first), I can't think of any reason to start elsewhere. (However, it wouldn't hurt to let the principal know in advance -- not so much for permission, but as a courtesy -- just so he's not surprised down the road.)

"... in this case, should I proceed boldly?"
Given that I am an unabashed Star Trek fan, I'm sure you can guess my answer to that question!

...to boldly go where no one has gone before....

I wrote a couple grant's for our school. I was on the site council at the school so I knew a little about their budget. I mentioned to the principal that I was open to writing some grant's if she wanted me too. She sent a memo around school telling the teachers that if they wanted help writing grants or came across an interesting one to call me.

I would talk with your prinicpal and ask if the district has a grant writer on staff. Mention that you are open to working on some. I would ask that everyone was aware of what you were doing though. The superintendant's secretary had not been aware that I was writing grants on behalf of the school. When I went down to the district office to get the superintendent's signature she made me feel like a renegade mom. Telling me that Mr XYZ does not just sign things because a parent brings something to him. I had to go through proper channels. I felt about two feet tall. I tried to explain that the principal asked me to write the grant, showed her the principals signature and left the proposal for her to follow through with. I decided not to write grant's anymore after that.

Thanks, all. I feel a little silly for even questioning it, but I sure don't want to have xoxosmom's experience, either!