Integrating FMX In Your School: A Superintendent’s Perspective

By Jon C. Saxton, Former Ohio School Superintendent and current FMX Affiliate

Having the tools to do the job well is the key to performing high-quality work. Why is it sometimes school leaders are reluctant to try new things and risk the use of a tool not bringing about desired results? Sometimes it’s simply fear, sometimes it is cost, sometimes it is simply not trusting their own leadership skills enough to ensure something works.

Rest assured school leaders, FMX is an excellent CMMS tool (Computerized Management and Maintenance Software). Of all the software systems I purchased or was forced to use in my ten years as a school superintendent, FMX was the most effective, easiest to use, and delivered the most value!

I like to be organized. I like knowing where things are and having a system for how I organize my files, complete my tasks, remind myself of things I need to do, and deliver on big projects. While delegating is an important skill for school leaders, there are certain times when the leader must be the lead learner and model the use of new ways of doing things. Too often superintendents are pulled away from their focus on being the instructional leader in their district to deal with the latest crisis, a situation that someone did not follow through with, or a management task that distracts them from their role as the instructional leader.

FMX can help! To effectively lead, one must ensure that they have first effectively managed. Sometimes that means putting the right people in the right seats on the bus, and sometimes that means making sure you’re on the right bus. A good CMMS tool creates a “system” for your “system.” Such systems reduce time spent on menial tasks, increase efficiency, and improve communication, collaboration, and coordination of the system’s various resources.

Do you have a system for your system?

Several years ago I found myself as a new superintendent trying to make sure I could be all the places I had to be, know all the things I was supposed to know, and do all the things I was supposed to do. My calendars had calendars. I had one on my desk, one on the wall, one in my pocket, another on my phone/computer, and my secretary had one. All those calendars, all those attempts to stay on top of things and I was drowning in things to remember and do and places to be. And then FMX came along. I don’t think the Sales Representative had finished his presentation when I decided this was THE system OUR system needed.

Steps for Success

1. Involve representatives of your team in making the decision – Build consensus among leaders of your team guiding them towards choosing a product that will help make everyone’s job easier, the district more efficient, and to improve communication, coordination and collaboration.
2. Provide Information, Resources, and Support – Materials/resources are available from your FMX sales or customer success representative to be shared with your staff. These materials do not cost anything and your endorsement of this system will help it launch successfully. You’re providing a tool to people to help their jobs become more manageable. Training and online support are readily available – take advantage of it. That’s why we offer it!
3. Own It! – As a Superintendent this is a tool that can help you to look good and there is nothing wrong with that! You’re likely to be more criticized for being indecisive than you are decisive. Commit to FMX as your OS and be consistent in its use.
4. Stay the Course – Don’t make exceptions for who has to use FMX. Everyone has to use it, including you as the leader. By embracing it and modeling its use you will help your organization realize “this is how we are expected to do things here.”
5. Continuously Improve – Look for ways to help your team use FMX better. Your dedicated customer success manager will help ensure you are getting the help you need for your school district, but there are also ways you can develop custom modules for other workflows. This idea of constantly striving to perform better will spread throughout your school district and that can benefit your system in other ways.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – Your success is our success so if you’re not happy we’re not happy. Allow us to provide you with the help you need in order to help FMX be successful. We’re not going to charge you each time we answer the phone and our goal is to help make your jobs easier so that you will recommend FMX to others.

Conclusion

Spend your time where you can have the greatest impact on student-learning, that’s where your students need you most! Effectively implemented, FMX can help you, your principals and other school-leaders spend less time and energy on things that distract you from the leadership your schools need. This tool is mobile-friendly, secure, and green. It does not rely on paper, and can go where you go unlike the dreaded inbox on the corner of your desk. Please know if I can ever be of help in making your decision or implementing FMX I’m willing and able to help you.

Jon Saxton served as a school administrator for 20 years in central and southeastern Ohio including ten years as a Superintendent. Saxton is a former President of the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools and was an active member of BASA. He currently represents Dynamix Energy Services as a Business Development Representative and is an affiliate for FMX. You may contact Jon at jsaxton@dynamix-ltd.com or by phone at 740-804-4273.