February 20th was “back to school” day for Leadership Allen Class XV.  We convened at the Collin County Community College Spring Creek Campus Room F110 (to be exact), and after a brief encounter with complimentary coffee and breakfast pizza, got down to business with a short-course on managerial styles by Mike Mireau of Personnelity Inc.  Mike proposes that there are three managerial styles: 1) “The Enhancer”, 2) the “Neutralizer”  and 3) the “Diminisher”.  Of course everyone, upon taking a brief quiz was greatly relieved to find that they were complete Enhancers with absolutely no trace of the other two classifications!!!
 
Dr. Cary Israel, President of Collin County Community College District addressed the Class, providing insights about the history of the district, the current state of affairs and his optimism for the district’s future.  Dr. Israel affirmed that he is committed to long-term sustenance of CCCC’s role as a leading community college, with no foreseeable ventures into 4-year degree programs. 
 
Lisa Vasquez of CCCCD Community Relations then arranged a tour of the vast and impressive one-building, multi-level Spring Creek campus.   A student who accompanied us on the tour explained that her books for the semester cost about $700 to $800.  Some of the Class recalled how that amount used to pay for a semester of room and board at a four-year school!
 
The Class then proceeded to the headquarters of the Allen Independent School District to have lunch and visit with Tim Carroll, Communications Director for the district and Steve West, Assistant Superintendent.   Both gentlemen briefed the Class on the 2004 bond package, and other plans and statistics relating to district management. 
 
The Class then split into two groups, one going to Boyd Elementary School and the other to the newly opened Marion Elementary School.  The groups toured their respective schools, quickly learning how advanced primary education is at the entry level today.  Hallway walls are mere extensions of classroom bulletin boards and are regularly covered with displays of student projects, and first-graders jump right into basic computer usage while maintaining emphasis on the basic skills of reading and writing.
 
Mr. Carroll then gave the Class a tour of the high school main building, providing interesting background notes on the organization of the physical facility and the division of the staff and student body into “house” units.  On leaving the Class was greeted by Principal Andy Marshall who took questions from the group. 
 
A grand impression was made on all in Class XV.  We are truly fortunate to be in the midst of educational excellence.  Special thanks is due to Dr. Israel and his staff at CCCC, as well as Steve West and Tim Carroll of the AISD, and Polly Montgomery, Principal at Marion Elementary School and Debby Moore, Principal at Boyd Elementary School.
 
Class XV Program for March 2004:  “Justice and Law Enforcement”