Date

Summer 8-9-2026

ESRP 9000 Professor

Linda Gaughan, Ph.D.

ESRP 9001 Professor

Linda Gaughan, Ph.D.

Executive Summary

This strategic research project was designed to examine organizational factors influencing staff retention and program stability within a newly established elementary school, with particular attention to the afterschool program. The strategic analysis identified high staff workload, employee burnout, role demands, and increased turnover risk as concerns that could negatively affect long-term program stability. The project used strategic planning tools, including a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis and internal factor evaluation and external factor evaluation, to assess the organization’s current position. The analysis revealed supportive leadership, positive organizational culture, professional development opportunities, and family and community engagement as organizational strengths, while heavy workload, limited mentorship, inconsistent onboarding, and limited established policies represented important weaknesses. Opportunities included expanded professional and leadership development, community partnerships, and staff incentives, while external threats included competition for qualified employees, burnout, regulatory changes, and economic uncertainty.

The strategic analysis resulted in recommendations focused on reducing employee workload, formalizing onboarding, expanding mentorship, strengthening leadership development, increasing professional learning, and improving organizational communication. The selected staff support and workload management strategy emphasized creating sustainable working conditions that could strengthen employee engagement and retention. The proposed action plan included assessing staff workload and support needs, improving workload distribution, strengthening leadership communication, implementing employee well-being and professional support initiatives, and continuously monitoring outcomes. If implemented, the strategy would be expected to reduce burnout, increase job satisfaction and employee engagement, strengthen organizational culture, improve staff retention, and promote greater program stability. Overall, the project demonstrated that intentional organizational leadership and systematic employee support could provide a sustainable approach to strengthening the workforce and supporting the long-term effectiveness of a developing elementary school program.

Document Type

Strategic Research Project-NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and the School of Criminal Justice

Concentration

Curriculum and Teaching

Language

English

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