GROUP FACILITATION SERVICE
Facilitation of the group-based collaborative planning processes in district, on campuses, or with programs as implied by site-based decision making is provided to districts accessing this service.
Region 10 ESC staff and contracted personnel will conduct facilitation of on-site, group-based planning sessions directed at producing predetermined products of use in the district. The sessions may be district-wide or campus-based, as determined by the customized needs of the district. Arrangements for the delivery of services will be made between Region 10 ESC and a designated local district contact person. Sessions may also include custom Level III school board training, as needed. Sessions will be calendared at least one month prior to their occurrence.
A facilitation session is defined as activities conducted and products emanating from one working day of group-based planning. Facilitation activities, which extend beyond a single working day, will be negotiated prior to contracting (i.e., weekend retreats, evening activities, multiple days, etc.).
Each session implies a contract for a single, Region 10 ESC or contracted facilitator for the session. Additional personnel resources for the management of the session (scribes, resources, small group leaders, etc.) would come from the district or campus staff. Additional ESC personnel may be secured at additional cost.
Each facilitation session will be preceded by a preplanning meeting between the facilitator and the district/campus/program planning team leadership. The purpose of the meeting is to settle the following issues:
- determine products and/or outcomes expected by the district leadership team,
- determine time adequacy to accomplish the expected outcomes,
- discuss and determine appropriate facilitation tools, processes and activities, as needed,
- discuss and develop an informal agenda of activity, and
- focus on other management issues from the team or the facilitator.
The preplanning meeting will take place at least one week prior to the actual facilitation session.
The determination of products and outcomes is essential to the success of the service. Therefore, the preplanning session is essential. Products that may be considered by users of the service include strategic plans, district improvement plans, campus improvement plans, district/campus objectives, and action plans for various implementation levels (if the district determines that collaborative input is essential to their development).
Fees for this service, if needed, will be negotiated at the time of contract through the Assistant Director. Direct costs will be recovered through client user fees to districts, campuses, and/or programs. Often the costs of this service can be subsumed under fees for other services, particularly if the activities are designed to fulfill requirements of another service (i.e., school board training, team building).
Contact:
Ron Simpson, (972) 348-1040
Related Links:
Site Based Decision Making Service