Dr. Markay Winston, Interim Superintendent Entry Plan
Markay L. Winston, Ph.D. was appointed as superintendent following the culmination of a three-phased entry plan into her role, focused on community listening, learning, and examining MCCSC’s organizational health. Her focus on community engagement underscored her entry plan and is a hallmark of her leadership approach.
Entry Plan Purpose
To honor the historical academic excellence of MCCSC students, teachers, and administrators while also refocusing new energy on aligning resources to achieve the vision and mission that is articulated in our board-sanctioned, student-centered strategic plan.
LISTEN
I look forward to participating in several formal and informal engagement sessions where I can hear firsthand the hopes, wishes, and dreams of our students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and community leaders.
LEARN
As the incoming “lead learner” of MCCSC, I intend to leverage my years of experience in Bloomington with my deep listening skills to better inform future decisions that directly impact our students.
LEAD
My leadership style will be characterized by a deep sense of humility, respect, and integrity as I strive to earn the trust of our amazing community.
Goals
- To accelerate learning for all students while identifying and eliminating opportunity gaps
- To establish a strong governance team with the Board of School Trustees
- To ensure the executive team operates as a highly effective, collaborative, cross-functional team
- To review the fiscal and operational health of the corporation
- To strengthen two-way communications with employee groups, family, and community members
- To provide a welcoming and safe learning culture and environment for all students
Phase I: Transition Planning & Preparation (May-June 2024)
This phase was characterized as a listening journey across critical MCCSC community partners to identify immediate areas of concern, capture upcoming opportunities, and establish leadership assurance with school leaders and faculty.
• Establish the Board and Interim Superintendent as a cohesive leadership team with a singular focused "immediate need" Theory of Action plan .
• Meet with the district's executive team to gather their perception on "where we are and where we need to go" to accelerate student achievement.
• Participate in a series of meet and greets with internal and external community partners.
View the Phase 1 Updates View the Phase 1 Updates PDF
Phase II: Hitting the Ground Listening & Learning (July-August 2024)
This phase was focused on strengthening family and community partner engagement and establishing a Young Child Advisory Council through open, transparent, and enhanced communication.
• Host townhall-style meetings to discuss public trust, commitment, and confidence in the corporation through authentic, two-way communication.
• Engage with selected family and community partners to better understand their concerns and wishes.
• Visit schools and host Muffins With Markay and Listen and Learn Lunches to hear directly from students, teachers, and school leaders.
• Establish a communication process for the introduction of MCCSC needs and changes with an intent of providing opportunities for input and reaction in an open and transparent manner.
Phase III: Strategic Action Update to the Board & Community (September-November 2024)
This phase concentrated on providing an analysis on the organizational capacity, alignment, and overall fiscal and operational health of the organization.
• Review input of past four months and provide vetted strategic initiatives to achieve maximum effectiveness and usage of budget availability.
• Provide a progress report on MCCSC commitments and pledges for referendum dollars.
• Introduce MCCSC needs and changes in a public and transparent process that provide expanded opportunity for community input and reaction.
Community Engagement — Nearly 200 Listening Sessions
In the six months she served as interim superintendent, Dr. Winston held nearly 200 listening sessions with individuals and advisory groups of parents, teachers, staff, community members/organizations, business leaders, government officials, and many others. She also established the Young Child Advisory Group and the Superintendent’s Student Voice Advisory Council to keep students centered in decision-making.
• Board of School Trustees
• Leadership Team members
• MCEA President
• AFSCME President
• Early Childhood Leaders
• Student Voice/Leadership Advisory
• Local Superintendents, College, and University Officials
• Elected Officials: Mayor, City Council, County Council, County Commissioners
• Business Leaders: Chamber of Commerce, BEDC, Rotary, BBOR, ROI
• Faith-Based Leaders
• Community-Based Organizations
• Parent-Teacher Organizations
• Community Conversations/Town Halls
