Clear Roles, Faster Results: Aligning Departments for Better Operations
This interactive session focuses on improving collaboration, clarifying responsibilities, and streamlining day-to-day operations.
2:15 PM - 3:00 PMThu
Classrooms 130/131
Speakers
Emily Hardy
Chief Operations Officer
Mount Airy City Schools
Carrie Venable
Chief Officer of Communications and Technology
Mount Airy City Schools
Facilities and IT are two departments that often experience overlapping responsibilities and conflicting workflows, especially when roles are not clearly defined. In this session, attendees will learn how one district addressed long-standing confusion by stepping back to refocus on the purpose of each department and setting shared expectations. Presenters will walk through how leaders identified unclear responsibilities, developed a common language around tasks like ownership, maintenance, and purchasing, and created a shared document to guide the work. Participants will take part in an activity that highlights how differently teams can view the same tasks, reinforcing the importance of clear communication and alignment. The session will also show how involving both leadership and staff in the process led to stronger understanding and buy-in. As a result, the district saw a significant reduction in complaints and smoother day-to-day operations.