April 13, 2017
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
One of the reasons I love education is that it is unpredictable. Unpredictability is a given when working with children, especially 480 of them! The unexpected hugs from kindergarteners, a sense of accomplishment radiating on the face of a student after a performance, or helping solve a printing problem for an Upper School student who is running late for class, make work enjoyable and rewarding. On the other hand, surprises can be a challenge, perhaps even threatening, and sometimes require a great deal of acumen and attention to successfully address. Yesterday’s discovery of a case of whooping cough in the Upper School was certainly a surprise (see notice here), but I was proud of our school’s immediate response, relying on the experience of administrators and staff members coupled with an excellent crisis communication plan.
Be prepared. It may not surprise you to know that I was a Boy Scout. I learned a great deal from that experience, not least of all the importance of planning ahead. “Be Prepared” is more than the Boy Scout motto, is a crucial attribute of good leadership. Experience is certainly helpful when confronted with the unexpected, but crisis planning, emergency preparedness, and a thorough risk management process are critical.
You may find comfort in knowing that the leadership of MPA has developed and employed an enterprise risk management (ERM) process that has been in place for three years and is a standing committee of the Board. Drawing upon corporate models, the Board of Trustees and I have instituted a comprehensive and fully-integrated risk management system. If you are unfamiliar with ERM, it is a process for:
- identifying potential risks that threaten the vitality of an institution and its constituents;
- assessing them in terms of likelihood and impact;
- developing a response strategy to address them proactively; and
- monitoring the ongoing progress of mitigating those risks.
In practical terms, the MPA ERM process has resulted in the development of a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan, a new policy covering international travel, improved cybersecurity measures, enhanced school security and safety training, and updated human resources practices. A risk management mindset has also resulted in regularly re-examining current risks (such as science lab safety protocols) and staying up-to-date on emerging risks (such as new FLSA regulations). At MPA, ERM has evolved into more than just a checklist of risks and controls, it is a critical part of executing strategy and advancing our mission.
While ERM is not a new concept in the business world, it is relatively new in education. In my experience, I would estimate that less than 30 percent of independent school have a formal process to the extent that we have. A mentor of mine frequently encouraged me to “Plan the work, work the plan.” Even when confronted with a unique situation that falls outside the plan, a risk management mindset better equips leadership to mitigate the impact of the unexpected.
While it is impossible to anticipate every potential threat, I rest easier knowing we have a system to fall back on. Be prepared. Once a Boy Scout, always a Boy Scout.
