In my previous blog I asked “What is in your district’s mission statement?” Although the article focused mostly on the content of a mission statement, I briefly referred to a vision statement. In this blog, I would like to focus on the content of a vision statement.
Books and movies often utilize a crystal ball as a device for peering into the future. Usually a character will rub the crystal ball and strange lights will appear within gradually giving way to a foggy glimpse into the future. A crystal ball is a quaint and useful device for peering into the future in books and movies, but it does not capture the true essence of a vision. The crystal ball suggests that one peers into a predetermined future. In reality, however, vision is an expression of intent. Vision is an expression of a preferred future.
In its governance role, the school board establishes a vision for the district. It may gather ideas from other district stakeholders, but ultimately the board formulates and approves a vision for the district. Vision is what the board sees for the staff, students, instructional program, and student support services. The board’s vision becomes the district’s vision. Once the board approves the vision, it directs the superintendent to lead the staff, as well as parents, students and community to achieve the vision.
If the school board expects the superintendent to lead, then the board must provide the superintendent with guidance. The board must be clear on what it wants and what it will support. What the board wants and what it will support is expressed in board policy. The board establishes and oversees policy, while the superintendent implements policy. Board policy enables the superintendent to lead the district stakeholders toward the preferred future, toward the vision.
As the school board considers a policy, it should ask, “Why is a policy needed?” What is impeding progress toward the vision that requires a policy? Will policy address the impediment or are there alternatives? If the board determines a policy is needed, then it should direct the superintendent to draft policy language for the board to consider.
School board policy should establish a clear path toward the vision. Unlike the crystal ball that offers a foggy glimpse into a predetermined future, the board aims to shape the district’s future as expressed in its vision supported by policy. Through well thought-out policy, the board provides the superintendent with the means to lead the staff, as well as parents, students and community to achieve the vision. A future that is not random, but preferred.
