EPISODE · Dec 5, 2025 · 40 MIN
S.4 | Ep. 15: Rethinking Operations – Dr. Julie Williams on Equity, Wellbeing, & Sustainable Systems
from Unlock 360 · host Wendy York Davoud
In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud talks with Dr. Julie Williams, Deputy Superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools. With 36 years in education from rural Missouri to a region anchored by Fortune 500 companies, Dr. Williams shares how operational decisions can dramatically enhance equity, safety, sustainability, and student wellbeing.From redesigning restrooms to eliminate bullying, to shifting cell phone culture, to replacing millions of milk cartons with bulk milk and composting, she shows how “behind-the-scenes” systems truly shape student experience.Key Moments02:00 From rural Missouri to deputy superintendent in Fayetteville04:10 Why she “retired” one day and started a new role the next06:40 Charter buses vs. school buses and surprising cost efficiencies09:10 Bus driver shortages and new staff incentives12:10 A new appreciation for the workload of coaches13:35 Cell phone limits and their impact on student wellbeing16:30 Major decline in discipline issues after policy changes18:45 Bathroom redesigns that eliminate hiding, vaping, and bullying24:20 Balancing online testing with screen-time guidelines27:25 Addressing equity through playground updates and feeder patterns32:20 Sustainability efforts including outdoor learning and LEED/site/well standards34:00 Bulk milk and composting as a cheaper, greener solutionWhy You’ll Love This EpisodeDr. Williams shares simple, practical ways operations can strengthen school culture and student safety from limiting cell phone use to redesigning restrooms and rethinking staff expectations. Her perspective shows how small shifts in systems can create big improvements for students.You’ll also hear how Fayetteville Public Schools is advancing equity and sustainability through clear, tangible actions that benefit every campus. It’s a concise look at how thoughtful operational choices make daily life better for kids and adults alike.Connect with Dr. Julie WilliamsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjulierwilliams Website: https://www.fayar.net/ Follow UsWendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryorkLead Teach Learn 360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.comLead Teach Learn 360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/About Unlock 360°Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they’re turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead Teach Learn 360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement—one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more conversations.
What this episode covers
In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud talks with Dr. Julie Williams, Deputy Superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools. With 36 years in education from rural Missouri to a region anchored by Fortune 500 companies, Dr. Williams shares how operational decisions can dramatically enhance equity, safety, sustainability, and student wellbeing.From redesigning restrooms to eliminate bullying, to shifting cell phone culture, to replacing millions of milk cartons with bulk milk and composting, she shows how “behind-the-scenes” systems truly shape student experience.Key Moments02:00 From rural Missouri to deputy superintendent in Fayetteville04:10 Why she “retired” one day and started a new role the next06:40 Charter buses vs. school buses and surprising cost efficiencies09:10 Bus driver shortages and new staff incentives12:10 A new appreciation for the workload of coaches13:35 Cell phone limits and their impact on student wellbeing16:30 Major decline in discipline issues after policy changes18:45 Bathroom redesigns that eliminate hiding, vaping, and bullying24:20 Balancing online testing with screen-time guidelines27:25 Addressing equity through playground updates and feeder patterns32:20 Sustainability efforts including outdoor learning and LEED/site/well standards34:00 Bulk milk and composting as a cheaper, greener solutionWhy You’ll Love This EpisodeDr. Williams shares simple, practical ways operations can strengthen school culture and student safety from limiting cell phone use to redesigning restrooms and rethinking staff expectations. Her perspective shows how small shifts in systems can create big improvements for students.You’ll also hear how Fayetteville Public Schools is advancing equity and sustainability through clear, tangible actions that benefit every campus. It’s a concise look at how thoughtful operational choices make daily life better for kids and adults alike.Connect with Dr. Julie WilliamsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjulierwilliams Website: https://www.fayar.net/ Follow UsWendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryorkLead Teach Learn 360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.comLead Teach Learn 360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/About Unlock 360°Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they’re turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead Teach Learn 360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement—one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more conversations.
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S.4 | Ep. 15: Rethinking Operations – Dr. Julie Williams on Equity, Wellbeing, & Sustainable Systems
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