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This article is intended for public school administrators at the k-12 level. The aim here is to demonstrate how to effectively make improvements to your school's programs and buildings and having these plans put into action.

From the very start the most import thing that you must to do as an administrator is to sit down with your colleagues and discuss the needs of your school. I say this because far to often the lead administer has a notion of what he/she thinks is best and works at putting this program into place. This is not recommended, it is recommended that you discuss at length with your colleagues the pressing needs of the school because you will need their support to make the plan a success.

After you have come to a firm agreement as to what your needs are you need to put together a plan. This is how you make the plan work.

Make sure that the follow questions are answered.

1. Will this make the learning environment better?
2. Will it enhance student learning?
3. Will it result in per capita higher test scores?
4. Is it cost effective?
5. Will all students benefit from this?
6. What is the impact on Special Educational Students?
7. How will this impact the teachers and staff?
8. How will it affect the parents?

After you have answered all of the above questions you now need to put together a design team. This is the group of professional that you will work with to help implement your plans. The team is important because they have the know-how and the contacts. The team will be more than willing to get together with you to discuss your plans at no cost to you in order to secure the contract. Once you have approval from the Board of Education you can work out all the cost elements with the committee. In the mean time use their resources to help you get the approval.

The team should consist of an architect, village or city planner, educational consultant, and public relations person. These people should be recommend to you through good sources such as Rotary, Lyons, and the Chamber of Commerce. These are trusted organizations with a long-standing name that can be relied upon. You can never know enough people and putting together a program for school improvement will bring that point out.

After you have spent time with the design team you must put together a proposal that can be submitted to the Superintendent and Board of Education. Remember that the proposal will reflect the image of the Superintendent and Officers of the District with the Board because they will be your sponsors. Since they are sponsoring you it is important that you recognize how this plan was made possible because of them. Give them credit.

The final key to success in attaining your goal is the presentation of your plans. There will be several meetings taking place before you make a formal presentation to the Board. At all of these presentations be sure to have all of your materials presented in a highly polished and profession media package. That package should include drawings, renderings, plans, brochures, educational resource material, and Power Point presentations. It is imperative that you make a First Class presentation.

If you follow all the points that I have recommend you will have success in making your plans a reality. Good luck you.

Stephen Condren

I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago in Hyde Park Township, near the University of Chicago. As I child I was always drawing and painting. My father owned an art supply company, Favor Ruhl & Watson, where I was able to get all that I needed to progress in my work.

I have always enjoyed portraiture and landscape painting. In High School (Naperville Central High School) I took Drafting from Mr. Pierce. I quickly grasped the principles of perspective and drafting and hence made a career with both Fine Art and Architectural Renderings.

In the mid 1970's I joined the US Navy and was stationed on board the USS Midway, CV-41. The Midway was home ported in Yokosuka, Japan (A suburb of Tokyo). While in service I traveled all over Asia including such countries as Korea, China, Philippines, Singapore, Pakistan, Hong Kong, and Japan. While in Japan I learned Japanese. I speak German and Spanish as well.

I am an omnivorous reader with a love of History and Philosophy. I admire the works of Immanuel Kant, Albert Schweitzer, and Fredrich Nietzsche. In music I admire the works of Mozart, Bruckner, and Wagner.

I am an ardent chess player and I am a member of the US Chess Federation. I hold memberships at The Chicago Club, The Arts Club of Chicago, The University Club of Chicago, Rolls-Royce Owner?s Club, The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations ? President?s Circle, Rotary/One Chicago, The Executive?s Club of Chicago, and the Chicago Artist?s Coalition.

In 1977 I married Judith Stucky of Wheaton, Illinois. We currently live with our four children in Libertyville, Illinois.

Artist and owner of Condren Galleries Ltd. 410 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 400 Chicago, Illinois 60605 (312) 303-0207

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Bachelor of Fine Arts Northwestern University Masters, Internship M.S. Northern Illinois University, Masters of Studio Arts Northern Illinois University, Masters of Educational Administration Educator, Secondary Level Chicago Public Schools. Certified Type #75, General Administration