Calling a Snow Day - by Richard D Tomko (Paperback)

About the Book

Calling a Snow Day: How Local Politics Influence School Decisions is a tool to help leaders in education identify, understand, and be able to maneuver around any and all obstacles that would influence decisions based on the needs of the constituent and stakeholder group and no...

Book Synopsis

Educational administrators are faced with making decisions daily that affect the operations of their district, building, or organization. Nearly all these decisions are based on the needs and influence of local stakeholders and constituent groups. Calling a Snow Day: How Local Politics Influence School Decisions is a tool to help leaders in education identify, understand, and maneuver around all obstacles that would influence decisions based on the needs of the constituent and stakeholder group and not just the system as a whole. These decisions, which impact the stakeholders of an educational system, can be influenced by a political landscape that can be both beneficial and detrimental to the progress that the administrator is looking to make in consideration of their tenure in the district.

Review Quotes

Calling a Snow Day: How Local Politics Influence School Decisions offers an illuminating journey through the intricate world of educational leadership, as seen through the lens of snow day decisions and beyond. Dr. Tomko's meticulous exploration unveils the myriad complexities faced by educational leaders, from navigating stakeholder needs to mastering the art of political savvy. This book is an indispensable guide for educators and policymakers alike, providing actionable insights into decision-making processes, feedback mechanisms, and the formation of crucial alliances. Dive into this compelling narrative to uncover the strategies and tools essential for effective leadership in today's educational landscape.

Reading Calling a Snow Day: How Local Politics Influence School Decisions is like having a conversation with one of the brightest and most practical school leaders that you can possibly meet. Dr. Tomko understands what so many in educational leadership ignore - the importance of "reading a room," identifying mechanisms for organizational success, the need to build and ultimately use political capital, and of course, the importance of evaluating the local political landscape. This is a must read, and ultimately, a critical resource for anyone with the reins in a school district.

Understanding the fundamentals of communication and recognizing the many varied constituencies or publics that a school leader must serve is the key to successful leadership in any organization. Public Schools are no exception. Public School leaders answer to more disparate and competing interest groups than leaders in any other business sector. The goal is to ensure that all of these groups understand the larger vision of the district as expressed through decisions that leader makes. Dr. Tomko discusses the subtle (and not so subtle) influences that impact daily decision making in a very real way. Tomko's process of decision making is comprised of equal parts empathy, commitment to vision and mission, deep understanding of community and awareness of power structures within that wider community.

About the Author

Richard Tomko has been a school administrator for the last 24 years in both private and public educational systems. He was recognized by Education Week in 2023 as a Leader to Learn from for exhibiting innovative solutions to fix some of the most pressing challenges facing K-12 schools in this critical period of our history.