The Mike Taylor Back-To-School Checklist

STEP ONE: MEET WITH THE ADMINISTRATION Before you even plug in your computers, schedule a meeting with your principal. Reserve ample time to go through all your questions. This may take more than one meeting. Summer is a great time to have those meetings, but don’t just “pop in.” Schedule them in advance. Make friends with your principal’s assistant. Consider bringing a cup of coffee to that first meeting, and writing a quick email or thank you after it’s done. While sitting down with the principal, ask point blank about the last several years of the yearbook class. Here are some topics you’ll want to go over: 1. When does the book traditionally arrive for delivery? 2. What does the book sell for/cost the school? 3. Where is the current publisher contract? 4. Who is responsible for publishing decisions? 5. Is the school under a contract with a photographer? 6. Who receives the commissions from the photo company? The yearbook or the school? 7. Are School Photo Picture Day and Retake Day already on the calendar? What are those dates? 8. Are last year’s bills paid? Did the book make a profit? If so, how much and where is it? 9. Is there a budget for equipment and training? a. Computers/software b. Cameras c. Travel and workshops 10. Is there any training I can attend? Will the school pay for this training? (By the way, Walsworth’s Adviser Academy happens each summer. If you missed this excellent training this year, make sure you sign up for next year. Talk with your Walsworth sales rep to get registered.) At the end of this initial meeting,

schedule another with the principal, activities director and bookkeeper. The outcome of your meeting with the principal should include all important dates on the calendar for the entire year. You should understand how money is to be collected and reported and how bills are to be paid.

Photo by Karina Paiz

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