2025 eHCLE Projects
The Executive Human Capital Leader in Education (eHCLE) Program is a professional development opportunity for accomplished human capital leaders serving in education organizations. Through a ten-month cohort model, participants receive intensive support from peers and subject-matter experts in areas of human capital management. All participants completed an independent project with peer feedback, which was presented at the Annual Human Capital Leadership Summit. Below is a description of each project and supporting information.
Redesign the Certified Hiring Process
Presented by Dr. Natacia Campbell Tominow, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Oak Park Elementary School District, Oak Park, IL
This session will share how we've updated our certified hiring process to address key challenges like poor communication, long timelines, and uncompetitive salaries, which can cause top candidates to drop out. You will also learn how refining our recruiting materials and job descriptions has helped us attract a broader talent pool, ensuring our hiring practices align with our goals to be an inclusive educational environment. Together, we will explore how small changes can lead to big improvements in securing a workforce that is representative of our students where everyone has a sense of belonging.
Compensation with Clarity: Modernizing Pay Practices for Transparency and Compliance
Presented by Dr. Franklin L. Foster, Sr. Chief Human Resources Officer, Richland School District Two, Columbia, SC
Compensation practices influence trust, satisfaction, and retention; however, they often lack transparency and consistency. This session explains how our district created a comprehensive compensation manual to update practices, ensure compliance, and promote equity. Participants will learn the process of developing a compensation philosophy and salary structures, engaging stakeholders, and effective communication. Using real data, lessons learned, and resistance strategies, it provides a practical road map for HR leaders to improve pay systems. Attendees will gain tools to enhance compliance, transparency, and confidence in their districts’ compensation frameworks.
Stick Around: Making First Impressions Count for Teacher Retention
Presented by Lydia Gaddis, Chief Human Capital Officer, Springfield City School District, Springfield, OH
Discover how Springfield City School District transforms first impressions into lasting commitment. Using district data, we will explore practical onboarding and mentorship strategies that strengthen teacher support systems, boost retention, and build a resilient, engaged certified workforce.
From Chaos to Clarity: Revamping Our District’s SOP Index System
Presented by Dr. Treva Jeffries-Martin, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Toledo Public Schools, Toldeo, OH
Strong systems matter most during disruption. This session walks through how our district redesigned its SOP index system to improve accessibility, clarity and usability across departments. Participants will learn practical strategies for auditing SOPs, creating a logical indexing structure and building a system that supports onboarding, cross-training and operational resilience during times of transition and change.
Link to Presentation
Link to Webinar
Sample SOP Index Template
Custodian Retention & Growth
Presented by Dr. Charles Ogdan, Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning with Forest Hills School District
This project examines multiple layers of our school district related to custodian retention and growth. In the 2025–2026 school year, 53% of our custodial staff has 0–5 years of experience, while many of our most experienced custodians are preparing for retirement. This raises an important question: how can we improve retention while also developing current staff into head custodians? The goal is to build internal capacity and preserve critical knowledge as veteran staff transition out of the workforce.
Link to Presentation
Link to Webinar
Screening and Recommending Finalist Candidates: A New Hope
Presented by Patrick Smith, Executive Director, Fort Worth ISD, Fort Worth, TX
This presentation "begins with the end in mind" (S. Covey) and explores the WHY for completing thorough work-history reviews and "live" reference checks with current and previous supervisors of finalists recommended for hire. Learn how a large, urban school district looked at separation data related to acute and chronic unacceptable performance, and what was learned when surveying its 300+ hiring managers related to checking for red flags when making a final recommendation for employment.
Link to Presentation
Additional Resource (Reference Questions)
Supporting Early Career Educators: Teacher Induction Series for Special Education Teachers
Presented by Michele Stephens, Chief Human Resources Officer at Rockdale County Public Schools.
This session will review a recent and ongoing collaboration between Rockdale County Public Schools' Human Resources Division and the Special Education District leadership. This collaboration resulted in a professional development series designed to equip first-year Special Education teachers with the foundational knowledge and practical strategies necessary for a successful and impactful career.