Using Humor to Lighten the Mood.

Ask people to talk about Yvonne Katz and the words "flash," "flamboyance," and a "sense of humor" readily come to their lips. In a profession marked by conservative style and demeanor, Katz enjoys the sensation that her love of brightly colored clothes, rings, curls, and eyelashes creates.

Without apology, Katz, who is superintendent in Beaverton, Ore., believes her trademark look helps her and others have "a good time." At a recent workshop for school administrators, the transplanted Texan drew laughs by telling the tale that "it takes most people about 3 to 5 minutes to get beyond" my flamboyant appearance, explaining that her parents raised her to be "as colorful as possible."

Eighteen months into her job in the suburbs of Portland, Katz refuses to adopt a doom-and-gloom attitude to her growing district's severe budget crunch. Although times are tough--the district has fallen from fourth in the state in per-pupil funding to 244th in only four years--she tries "to pull people along by saying, 'We're going to make it through this.'"

Beaverton school board member Shari Calouri believes Katz offers a delightful "sense of humor and vibrancy" to the district, noting, "Yvonne knows the value of the pregnant pause when delivering her message."

A case in point for just how Katz uses humor to build rapport with community groups and others is relayed in a story about a meeting between the superintendent and a group of real estate brokers. According to the news coverage of the event, Katz shared details about the serious budget shortfalls confronting the district and indicated the district would not be able to afford to print the maps to show school attendance areas. Then, she paused, "looked at the group, smiled, and said, 'But you could do it.' And all across the room, hands went up."

Many in the Beaverton community give Katz much credit for giving them courage and ideas on how to face tough times. She is unlike her predecessors in that regard, says Dan Maks, a parent activist, who appreciates Katz's willingness to take on elected officials. "She's not afraid to appeal to legislators for more money and to ask them point blank how we're going to fund schools long term."

Last spring Katz travelled nearly every other day to meet with state legislators about three bills that would address long-term financial issues facing growing districts such as hers.

"We came out smelling like a rose," recalls Katz, savoring the moment of victory. "Senate Bill 908 is a significant switch because developers who wish to build in fast-growing districts will no longer be able to ignore the impact of their residential facilities on the school system." Under the new law, schools will have the power to block a building development if they feel it would overcrowd or negatively affect the existing school facilities.

"Developers look at us a little differently now," she says. Even the naysayers have agreed to work with her on development issues with some interesting results. One developer made a presentation for incorporating a small school inside a shopping mall to serve a K-2 population of the nearby neighborhood.

Looking back on her rise to the top, Katz says she is glad the "hush-hush" days are over when women did not talk openly about their aspirations for leadership positions. She credits her own success to a number of key men who encouraged her. She remembers in particular one encounter with a college professor with whom she shared her dream of becoming a school administrator. She says she was "dressed in a big floppy hat and crocheted vest.

"He didn't laugh," Katz says gratefully and with a chuckle. Instead, he told her, "Great, and I'm going to help you become one.

Katz believes people are able to look beyond the flair to see someone who is sincere and committed to serving the public.

Her assessment appears accurate. Beaverton's mayor, Rob Drake, describes Katz as being "very direct and very genuine," adding, "She's been an active superintendent, who is out in the schools, in the classrooms. I'm most impressed by Yvonne's energy and by her high levels of commitment. She hasn't just talked about [developing solutions], she's insisting that things be done."