OKC district makeover could cost $2.1M
Oklahoma City Public Schools continues to explore the possibility of hiring a high-priced consultant to help transform the district's "dysfunctional" culture, The Oklahoman has learned.
Superintendent Aurora Lora and Oklahoma City American Federation of Teachers President Ed Allen, in a joint statement emailed to about 5,000 employees Tuesday night, said the district and its partners "continue discussions with Kotter International."
Kotter is a management consulting firm based in Boston and Seattle that charges the equivalent of $2.1 million annually for its services.
"From a funding perspective, although Kotter International's typical charge is $175,000/month, a price for OKCPS has yet to be negotiated and Superintendent Lora has made it clear that district dollars will not be used for this initiative," the statement read.
John Kotter, the firm's founder, is a retired Harvard professor who specializes in organizational leadership and change.
Allen is a fan of Kotter, and has repeatedly called for the district to transform its "dysfunctional" culture by hiring him.
"Stakeholders involved in these discussions passionately agree that transformation is not only needed but it possible for Oklahoma City Public Schools, and we are excited to be exploring this work with Kotter International," the statement read.
Only three of eight school board members — Rebecca Budd, Charles Henry and Mark Mann — attended informational meetings in November with Kotter representatives. Last week, district leaders "shared an overview of what the work together might look like" with board members.
"It's important to note that no decisions have been made on whether or how we might proceed," the statement read.
Mann has said the district needs to change the way it operates and communicates and delivers services.
"I think to get too caught up on the name Kotter or a dollar amount is a little premature," he said Tuesday. "I think the important thing is the concept of transformational change.
"Kotter is not the only group out there that does it. There are other organizations out there that do the same thing."
Board Chairwoman Paula Lewis said hiring Kotter would help the district identify its inefficiencies, improve communications and "figure out how to make everybody work together as a team."
"For me, we’ve had 15 superintendents in the last 20 years. There’s no telling how many programs were started and then disappeared," she said. "I think anytime someone can come in an help you look at your processes it's a good thing."
Board member Rebecca Budd said it is "premature to speculate on what, if any role consultants like Kotter will play."
"As a board member, my focus is on working with other board members to develop a strategic vision and plan for the district," she said. "We have to weigh the cost carefully, whether the money is raised privately or paid for by the district."