When Everyone Leads, Students Win: Lessons from Clearview Local Schools

When it comes to transforming school culture and student achievement, Clearview Local Schools is proving that collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility can make all the difference. In a recent episode of At the Table, Dr. Paul Kish, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, shared how his district embraced collaborative leadership to create a thriving, engaged school community.

"Clearview is like a family," says Dr. Kish, describing the district’s 1,500–1,600 students across three buildings. That sense of connection underpins every initiative—especially the district’s work to strengthen culture and climate. Inspired by the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Clearview introduced a K–12 house system where every student and staff member—from bus drivers to principals—belongs to one of eight houses. This structure fosters collaboration, communication, and creativity, while building leadership skills across all ages.

Building the Foundation for Shared Leadership

Dr. Kish is quick to point out that shared leadership does not happen overnight. The first step was redefining leadership itself. Principals and district leaders engaged in leadership studies, book discussions, and courses—many through Ashland University—shifting from a top-down model to a facilitator approach designed to create more leaders, not just followers.

"You just cannot come in and say, ‘We’re going to do shared leadership now.’ Leaders must understand transformational leadership first," Dr. Kish explains. This foundation allowed staff to feel heard, valued, and invested in district decisions.

A Structure That Keeps Everyone Engaged

Sustaining collaborative leadership requires clear structures and intentional communication. District, building, and teacher-based leadership teams meet on a regular cadence—quarterly, monthly, and weekly, respectively—with all dates shared at the start of the year. Meeting minutes and presentations are not kept behind closed doors—they are shared district-wide and even posted online for the community to see.

This transparency ensures everyone has access to information and a voice in shaping the district’s priorities. As Dr. Kish puts it, "There’s no secret meeting of notes…even if you’re not in one of those groups, your ideas and your voice can still be heard."

Narrowing the Focus for Greater Impact

Clearview also avoids spreading itself too thin. Each year, buildings identify two to three key initiatives that align with district goals in literacy, mathematics, and school climate. Some initiatives—like MTSS—are shared across all buildings, while others are tailored to each school’s unique needs. This targeted approach helps staff stay focused and energized.

Dr. Kish uses a kitchen metaphor:

Steps for Districts Ready to Start

For leaders looking to replicate Clearview’s success, Dr. Kish offers three key steps:

1. Create the Culture: Train leaders in transformational leadership and prioritize relationships.

2. Ensure Inclusivity: Rotate team membership to involve more voices.

3. Lead as a Facilitator: Let teachers lead presentations and discussions, fostering ownership and engagement.

Clearview’s story shows that when culture, structure, and shared leadership align, the results extend beyond improved student outcomes—they create a school community where every member feels empowered to lead.

You can watch and hear the full conversation and dive deeper into Clearview’s journey in Episode 18 of the At the Table podcast: Empowering Collaborative Leadership: A Clearview Success Story.