Candidate,

The case consists of action planning responses to three emails that you would hypothetically receive as Special Procurements Manager. We understand that we will likely not have enough time in the interview to provide a complete response to the emails outlined. The interview team will be reviewing the following items after your independent work time:

• Reactions to the relative urgency of action for each email

• Next steps you would take in response to each email

Asking clarifying questions during your independent work time detracts from the rating you would receive from the interview panel. Questions may or may not be answered and should be balanced against the limited time available.

Email #1

Concern about the suspension of new spending

I was just about to reach out to BEDF about using some of our SCHOOL A funds to buy and send books to our Grade 1 student - since I was not allowed to use our main budget funds for this since materials would have to be delivered directly to the school.

I also have reimbursements for going back to before school was closed that I need to process for staff that that money was planned for.

It is disheartening to think I cannot use our school's money to attend to any of my school's needs right now - from Chromebooks for paraprofessionals, books and supplies for students learning to read with few supplies at home and even reimbursements for staff for materials they've purchased with their own money, including for materials to keep their teaching going during school closure.

Could you please let me know how to seek permission to use our funds for both of those uses? I hope I'm able to address these needs with our funds.

Thank you.

School Leader

Email #2

An email with Feedback/Questions on interaction with Financial Analyst on Spending Process

From: School Leader

Subject: Re: Approved Spending Request

To:

Hi David,

I don't want to engage in a back and forth with Analysts on this, but I have not been getting emails saying that my submissions have been approved. I only get these emails telling me that the Analyst is "still waiting" for me to submit the reqs and PS08s.

Can you clarify what the process is? I've been waiting to submit things until they are approved since these also involved approving budget transfers.

Thanks,

School Leader

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: Analyst

Subject: Re: Approved Spending Request

To: School Leader

Hi School Leader:

This is my second email informing you that your requests had been approved.

Thank you,

------------------------------------------

On Date at Time School Leader wrote:

Hi Analyst,

We'll submit them. Is there a way we can get an email when things are approved? Budget Director said that there would be an email but I have never received notification that any of my requests have been approved.

Thanks,

School Leader

Email #3

Team,

I considered not sending this message because I truly understand that we are all busy and all well-intentioned, but I feel that I need to share some thoughts in as respectful and professional as a manner as possible.

On Monday, after PD was canceled, several principals texted frustrations over not knowing or understanding how to access (nevermind use) futureforce to balance their budgets. Most of these principals are new school leaders, all school leaders of color. I asked if they wanted to work collaboratively on Tuesday and three of them accepted. Of note, one of them was not able to get the information provided on the webinar due to capacity issues.

I sent an e-mail to all budget liaisons in hopes that one or more of you would be available to answer questions over the phone. I asked for 20 minutes. Only one person responded. That person was NOT available at the time indicated when I called and never responded or returned our call. Granted, this was a last-minute request. However, I know for a fact that a white school leader colleague was able to get service right away by going to Bolling during the same time that I had requested support.

I message you all with this information as a third-year principal that shares the frustration of my first-year principal colleagues and as a 10-year member of Boston Public Schools that has advocated for the recruitment and retention of the high-quality school leaders of color that our students, teachers and our community deserve. Last year we lost too many high-quality school leaders of color due to feeling unsupported and unappreciated by the district. This experience, to me, highlighted how that sense of not belonging begins for many new school leaders in a district where we are all working towards intentionally addressing a culture/climate where school leaders of color feel underappreciated and under-resourced.

I appreciate your time in reading this and please know I mean NO disrespect. I simply wanted to share how this experience has played out.

School Leader