Governing Effectively via a Framework for School Governance
(49 Questions to Ask Your Board) If, as is usual, there are several trustees, their chairman has a special obligation to see that the trustees as a group sustain a common purpose and are influential in helping the institution maintain consistent high-level performance toward its goals. The chairman is not simply the presider over meetings, but also must serve and lead the trustees as a group and act as their major contact with the active inside leadership. ― Robert Greenleaf1 Read More …
(49 Questions to Ask Your Board) When asked, “How can a new school board member get off on the wrong foot with colleagues?” experienced board members replied: – Be belligerent– Talk too much or too loudly– Have all the solutions for all the problems of the district– Fail to be a good listener– Neglect to read your board policy manual– Show apathy– Discuss with press and constituents board matters discussed in executive session– Backstab another board member – Monopolize the Read More …
(49 Questions to Ask Your Board) To be brutally honest, many board members simply do not know what their jobs are. They busy themselves doing things, many times the wrong things, which results in frustration shared by everyone associated with the organization. – Randy Quinn and Linda Dawson1 The above assessment was offered by Aspen Group, International based on many years of experience consulting with school boards. Perhaps as a first step toward defining what the board member role should Read More …
(49 Questions to Ask Your Board) [Board meetings]…were less orderly; had less time spent on student achievement; lacked respectful and attentive engagement across speakers; had board members who seemed to advance their own agenda; had less effective working relationships among the governance team; had fewer board members who relied on the superintendent for advice and input; had one member, other than the board president, stand out for taking excessive time during meetings; and did not focus on policy items. – Read More …
This article in American School Board Journal is the second in a series of articles about knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed by a new school board member.
Boardsmanship skills include connecting with the community, advocating for students, contributing to board meetings, referring issues for action, balancing confidentiality and transparency, each in appropriate situations, complying with law, etc. Other skills involve contributing to effectiveness in the board’s governance capacity.