Greenbush: The Future

Twenty-five superintendents, Greenbush staff members, and board members were invited to participate in a moderated discussion about where Greenbush is headed. With the upcoming change in leadership after the retirement of Executive Director, Dave DeMoss, there will be a change in direction once Mike Bodensteiner begins leading the organization. It was stressed that although Dave and Mike may lead differently, a core set of values will ensure sustainability and success of the organization.

The group’s objective was to recognize and establish the core set of values that Greenbush has used to become what it is and to determine where it is going. In order to do this, the group focused on three areas: Historical Perspective, Current Situation, and the Future of Greenbush.

To begin, the group was asked what Greenbush is good at and what Greenbush could be better at. After this discussion, the group was asked to list what they believed Greenbush should be built around; the “pillars of support” that will help lead the organization in the future.

The five core values the group agreed were vital to the success of Greenbush’s future were:

1. An optimistic, positive, and trustworthy staff that provides expert customer service.
2. Finding opportunity in discontinuity by remaining able to adapt to customer needs.
3. Remain innovative and creative problem solvers for schools.
4. Be able to adapt to change within the districts and markets as well as in the economy.
5. Continue to do what it takes for kids by putting their needs first.

The consensus of the meeting was that in the foreseeable future it will be crucial for Greenbush’s success to hold on to these core values.

I encourage all Greenbush business partners to review these five core values as they represent the foundation upon which Greenbush will base its service to school districts.