19 Sep 2007
$9.2 million saved, to be re-directed to campuses; Reporting layers reduced from 11 to 7
Central offices now staffed from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. each weekday
The Dallas Independent School District has completed the restructuring of its central office, resulting in cost-savings and improved services to school campuses.
All totaled, more than $9.2 million has been saved, with those savings being re-directed to campuses. In addition, the number of reporting layers within central administration has been cut from 11 to seven.
"While this process has taken a few months to complete, it is resulting in improved efficiency for schools and ultimately students throughout the district," said Dallas ISD Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. "Restructuring and changing the culture of a district this size is not easy, but it is necessary to create a service-oriented organization that can quickly and effectively respond to the needs of school campuses."
One hundred sixty-nine central administration positions were eliminated during the process. Of those, 30 individuals were reassigned to schools.
"This process has not necessarily been about cutting positions or people," said Chief Transformation Officer Arnold Viramontes. "It has really been about implementing a step-by-step process to determine what functions are necessary to best serve schools and the students they educate."
The reorganization has changed the titles and, in several cases, reporting relationships for many central staff employees. For instance, 39 positions previously had the word "superintendent" in their title, such as deputy superintendent, associate superintendent or assistant superintendent.
"The structure now is much simpler," said Viramontes. "Reporting to the superintendent are six chiefs, such as chief of staff, chief academic officer and chief administrative officer. Reporting to those positions are executive directors, followed by directors, then coordinators and specialists. This will create clearer lines of communication throughout the school district."
In addition, the number of individuals who directly report to a single supervisor has been significantly reduced to an ideal range of six to eight employees. Mid-level management positions where relatively few individuals were reporting to supervisors have been also been reduced or eliminated altogether.
"In a school district with 228 campuses, it is necessary to routinely re-examine the overall structure so that it can best meet the needs of the schools and their students," said Hinojosa. "It is a goal of this administration to create a culture that is focused, fast, flexible, and friendly in serving schools. Our campus staff, parents and students are counting on it."
To ensure central offices serve the needs of campuses and the general public, the superintendent has directed that all central offices be staffed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each weekday. This includes departments that respond to a great number of calls, such as Human Development, Procurement Services and Payroll.
In addition, each year school principals are asked to complete a survey to measure how well each central department is meeting their needs.
"Actions speak louder than words and if schools are held accountable for their test results, so too should central administration be held accountable by those who we serve," said Hinojosa. "It is my hope that campus employees and the general public realize that a culture change is taking place within Dallas ISD central offices. Central offices should serve schools, not vice versa."