Labor and the Supply Chain

Are we experiencing a shortage of the supply of labor or do we have a shortage of supplies? Well, actually we have both. Frankly I am not sure how quickly either one will rectify itself. Let's start with the supply chain since it has garnered so much media attention lately. First off, a large part of the supply chain issue is correlated directly to the shortage of labor. There are not a enough dock workers to unload the cargo ships in the ports. Once they get the ships unloaded, there aren't enough truck drivers to get them to where they need to go. That isn't my labor problem (I'll get to that in a few minutes), but it does partially explain the supply chain issue we are dealing with.

Granted, we have been able to get by but there are good and services that we are simply still waiting on. For example, some computer hardware that was ordered last April has yet to arrive. Obviously it is on back order, but we keep getting information that we are next on the list. As of right now, we anticipate delivery in January. At the beginning of the school year we decided that we needed to order another school van. When I placed the order in September, it was a 30 week lead time. This means it is entirely likely our new van won't arrive before the end of the school year (or at least very close to it). If there is good news, then we'll have the new van in time for the start of the new school year! Our new school bus that was ordered last spring was delayed as well, thankfully it arrived in just the last few weeks. We desperately needed it as well! (We are also having a terrible time getting bus parts to keep all our buses on the road.) Here we are, into the second week of December and still have summertime orders trickling in!

Right before the start of the school year (and I mean right before the start of the school year), our food distributor decided to drop all their Iowa customers. That left us scrambling, and fortunately we were able to find a new distributor--but it is still common for our cooks to have to make a trip to the grocery store. A few weeks back I was on my way to scold someone for parking in a 'no parking zone' outside the kitchen dock only to realize it was one of our cooks unloading a trunkful of groceries. To this day we still do not have a bread distributor and we frequently have to recalibrate menus based on what was delivered that particular week. 

As far as labor goes, we are currently short two full time paraprofessional positions in the district. Truth be told, I consider myself lucky when it comes to that. I have colleagues who have teaching positions that have been open all year and bus driving positions that are unfilled right now. The consequence of this is extended routes with more passengers and large classroom sizes. Probably neither of which are real great combinations in the (hopefully) twilight of COVID! Another notable shortage area in Hudson right now is our substitute teaching pool. Hopefully a raise in pay that kicks in for those folks on January 1st will help mitigate some of that.

So what's the answer? Seriously, I'm asking you, what is the answer!?

When it comes to our challenges with the supply chain, I think the best approach right now is to exercise patience. Admittedly it is difficult for me at times and I want to take those frustrations out on the person on the other end of the phone. I do believe if they could fix it, they would. In terms of labor, I think first and foremost it is important to be able to compete in this labor market. Filling a position is one thing. Filling a position with a quality person that is going to be able to maintain our very high educational standards is another. Then once we get that employee on our payroll we need to make sure they have a good experience, feel support, and that they are a part of the team so we can keep them!

Did I mention that I am short two paras and am always looks for subs? Please reach out if you are interested!

The Next Big Thing

When first hired as superintendent in Hudson back in 2010, the Board's number one priority as far as capital improvement projects was to pave the high school parking lot. The building was a bit more than 10 years old, and the parking lot was one of those items that was never completed during construction. At that time, the operating philosophy was 'pay as you go', so after a couple of short years that project was finally checked off our 'to do' list. That task was followed quickly by reconstruction of the middle school parking lot and for a while, I was convinced my time in Hudson would be remembered as the 'guy who paved everything'.

Our 'pay as we go' strategy served us well up to about the point when Phase III of the elementary renovation project came along. It became evident that, to pay as we go would require waiting several years to accumulate the needed capital. Further, our forecast models proved that rising construction costs would outpace interest rates associated with a revenue bond sale. It also became readily apparent this strategy would not prove workable in the long term since there would be no end in sight. Many of the projects that needed attention would not be scheduled for completion until long after my retirement. Deferred maintenance at some point would catch up and need to be addressed, which ultimately would delay other capital improvements even further.

The master facility plan always assumed the high school would be next in line for renovation and updates. The strategic decision was made to tackle the elementary building first because it is an older building, then move on to the high school. In case you are curious, the high school building is is 24 years old this year. Initially, planning for this work was to begin last year, but COVID disrupted those plans and our focus last year was to, well quite frankly keep our schools open. We are now in a position to begin planning for that work. 

So, what's to be included in this project? Well, a lot of that is dependent on your input. There are deferred maintenance items that need to be addressed: HVAC, windows, ceilings, and lights. A lot of what you saw in the elementary renovation will likely be part of this next project. An expansion/conversion of the gym into a competition arena has been discussed along with a secured entrance and the possible addition of an academic wing. In reality the scope of project is really yet to be determined, and we are really going to need your help in defining that work.

Truth be told though, this is not a pay as you go project. While the Board of Directors have not yet set a budget for these improvements I am confident this is going to take a financial commitment from our community. This is why your input is going to be critical as we move forward. What type of investment are we willing to make? Indeed I am as curious as anyone to discover the answer to that question.

This final month of the calendar year we are assembling our team. Beginning in January, we will be looking to all of you for your advice, counsel, and ideas as we move forward with this next big thing. The process will march forward with a timeline designed to vet all ideas and address all concerns. I look forward to the conversation!