November's episode focuses on important timelines and programs that directly impact Granite administrators staff including evaluation deadlines, retirement notifications, the SHiNE and Teacher Merit Award (TMA) programs, stipend coach requirements, and teacher licensing updates.

We also take a few moments to discuss the human side of leadership, exploring how the Dignity Index framework can help guide respectful and empathetic conversations during progressive discipline. These reminders are designed to help Granite administrators support for employees as we move deeper into the school year.

Access the full Fall HR Newsletter by clicking on the following hyperlink: Fall HR Newsletter

The October episode of Beyond the Bell focuses on Open Enrollment, a critical time of year when every contract employee must review and elect or waive their benefits for the upcoming plan year. Joined by Associate Director of Benefits, Berkley King, Patrick Flanagan explains the open enrollment process, the September 29–October 15 timeline, and why principals play such an important role in reminding their staff to complete this requirement. They highlight the $50 late fee for missed deadlines and the risk of coverage lapsing if employees do not act in time.

The episode also introduces the Benefit Fairs held at the Granite Education Center on October 2, 6, and 14, where employees can meet with vendors, receive flu shots, ask questions, and enter prize drawings. Principals are encouraged to share reminders in faculty meetings and newsletters, ensuring their staff know how to log in through Employee Navigator, what documentation may be required, and where to turn for support. The goal is clear: help employees avoid stress, stay covered, and take advantage of the resources available.

This month’s Beyond the Bell takes a deep dive into Progressive Discipline and Capacity Building, helping principals understand how to support employees while maintaining consistent standards. HR Director Patrick Flanagan and Associate Director Wyatt Bentley walk listeners through Granite’s step-by-step Corrective Action Framework—from informal coaching conversations to district-level interventions—emphasizing that the goal is improvement, not punishment. Along the way, they stress the importance of early intervention, documentation, and providing employees with clear expectations and the tools to succeed.

The episode also highlights practical strategies for capacity building, including mentoring, professional development, and clarity of expectations, as well as when to involve HR for guidance and due process support. Principals will come away with concrete takeaways: address concerns early, document thoroughly, stay consistent and fair, and lean on HR as a partner throughout the process. Whether dealing with performance issues or conduct concerns, this conversation equips school leaders to approach corrective action as a pathway to growth rather than a checklist of consequences.