Yesterday we had the privilege of guiding some schools through our unique process of designing their future. Here are a few insights from the School Growth Lab this week.

A school is a complex tax-exempt business that also has to consider how to generate more revenue. The foundation for growing enrollment and fundraising is your brand platform, or the common language and stories shared by your faculty, parents, board members, donors, students, and community leaders.

Lots of useful lessons can be learned for effective fundraising from the TV show, "Shark Tank." Season 16, Week 17 was no exception.

Some of the best school innovations are happening outside the classroom, and over the next few years we expect to see major changes in the financial strategies of schools.

Press and online outrage has been brewing about two women for doing what they were asked to do. Both the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS), Michelle Obama, and Principal of the W.F. Burns Middle School (POTWFBMS), Priscella Holle, have been ridiculously criticized. It's time for people to step back from the keyboard and breathe. Leave FLOTUS and POTWFBMS alone please.

Last week I met with an experienced chief administrator who was recently unceremoniously fired by a school board. After being recruited from another school a few years earlier, this person had the misfortune of working with three different board chairs in about 18 months. The relationship with the third chair soured quickly, and the rest of the board followed. The result was a predictable pattern.

Dr. Albert Niemi, chair of the business school at SMU, recently shared his annual report and predictions. I have attended his presentation for the last eight years and have found him to be more accurate than not. His U.S. economic reflections and forecasts for 2015 included some important insights that should influence your plans regarding enrollment and fundraising.

Target Stores is suffering from what some describe as market arrogance, and is now closing 133 stores in Canada. What can school leaders learn from this business debacle?

Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman, Haloti Ngata, returned Sunday from his four game suspension by the NFL for violating the league's ban on performance-enhancing substances. His drug of choice: Adderall. This amphetamine is banned by every major sports organization because it provides many competitive benefits to athletes. Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz received a 25-game suspension for using Adderall last season, and NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger was also punished for such use.

What's so attractive about these drugs that are typically used to treat ADD/ADHD? They are believed to increase alertness, focus, and attention. Reaction time may be decreased, particularly when tired, and some find that it increases mental performance.

Athletic vs Academic Advantage

Multiple studies have shown students can achieve improved memory and focus when taking drugs such as modafinil, Ritalin, or Adderall, with manageable negative side effects. Even though these medications are supposed to be only available through a doctor's prescription, willing suppliers can be easily found online. According to Kieron Monks in the article, "Are 'smart pills' the best way to stay sharp?" these drugs "are more effective than caffeine, and represent progress based on improved understanding of biology and brain function."

So it's no surprise that such medications have become extremely popular throughout high school and college campuses. Regardless of school policies, a growing percentage of students are regularly using them to prep for exams to gain from these same benefits. While they may temporarily increase the ability to focus, and reduce the need for sleep, there is questionable proof they increase grades or performance.

What we do know is that such stimulants increase blood pressure and heart rate. At high doses and with repeated use, greater risks of stroke, feelings of hostility, and anti-social behaviors emerge. The often induced lack of sleep and poor nutrition also contribute to major health issues. Around exam season, emergency room visits spike for students who have misused some combination of such drugs and other stimulates.

The challenge for school administrators, of course, is should academic performance enhancing drugs be widely available?

Serious concerns regarding the short- and long-term effects remain, but establishing policies is difficult because students already use "supped up" energy drinks and similar over-the-counter supplements to stay more alert. For years some have argued that access to so-called "smart drugs" for exams should be viewed as a valuable benefit and available to all students.

What is your school's policy regarding the use of such performance enhancers? Based on what principles will you make these decisions? What would have to be true in order for your school to legalize them?

Have you heard the one about the Superintendent who became a pirate? It's a scary tale, but the lessons learned must be shared for the benefit of others like yourself.