Most public school districts proudly display their mission statement.  It usually is a carefully-worded, inclusive expression of the views of the school board; the administrative, instructional and non-instructional staff; parents; community; and sometimes students.  It is often an expression of commitment.  For example, the stakeholders commit the district to produce graduates who are prepared to compete in an ever-changing world.  Is it possible, however, that this expression of commitment does not reflect the district’s true mission? Continue reading “What Is In Your District’s Mission Statement?” »

Being a superintendent for eighteen years, I developed a deep respect for those who served on the school board.  During that time, I was fortunate to have worked with many great board members in two districts.  That is not to say, however, that I did not have a few board members who, on occasion, worked very hard to make their superintendent’s life difficult. 

Looking back, it seems to me there were two factors that contributed mostly to the challenges I experienced with those few board members.  The first was poor communication, the result of unclear expectations between board members and superintendent.  The second was the lack of a clear understanding of the board member’s leadership role versus the superintendent’s administrative role.  Continue reading “Leadership Development Might Be Just the Thing the School Board Needs” »

The school board establishes policy and the superintendent implements policy through various administrative regulations.  The board, however, has another important leadership responsibility, which is to insure policy oversight.  Oversight means watchful care, management, or supervision (Webster).  It is a skill the board uses to evaluate the extent to which a policy achieves the board’s intent. Continue reading “Policy Oversight is an Important School Board Responsibility” »

Over the past three years, voters have approved a higher percentage of ballot proposals for school construction or renovation.  In 2011, 46% of all proposals passed, in 2012, 51% passed, and in 2013, 75% passed based on a review of the state’s School Elections for State Qualified Bonds 1996-Present website.  An increasing number of school boards across the state face the challenge of providing leadership and oversight of a school construction project. Continue reading “School Board Leadership and Oversight of a School Construction Project” »

The school board hires the superintendent.  A wise superintendent knows that a positive relationship with the board is very important to his/her success and longevity as the district’s chief executive officer.

One important element of a positive relationship with the school board is for the superintendent to treat all board members equally.  However, the board president and superintendent have a unique relationship. Continue reading “The Relationship between the School Board President and Superintendent is Unique” »

An expectation anticipates a particular behavior or outcome.  Does the superintendent know what the school board expects?  Does the board know what the superintendent expects?  Does the board and superintendent know what staff, students, parents and community expect?  Are expectations intuitive or documented?  Should expectations be vague or specific? Continue reading “Specific Expectations for Educational Leaders” »

Most school boards meet once or twice per month and provide for public comment during the meeting.  How should the board approach public comment?

Public comment is an opportunity for an individual (or group) to address the school board.  The comment may be an announcement, complaint, compliment, expression of concern, or any topic of which the individual feels the board should be aware.  The board should have a process for public comment that is fair to the individual and allows the board to maintain appropriate control of its meeting.

Continue reading “School Board Approach to Public Comment” »

The school board establishes policy.  It determines why a policy is necessary; discusses a policy proposal; and ultimately adopts a proposal as official district policy.  The superintendent implements policy and the school board oversees its implementation.

The school board cannot delegate its policy responsibility; however, it can designate the superintendent to draft policy language.  If the superintendent is clear on the school board’s policy objective, then the superintendent can facilitate the policy draft process. Continue reading “Drafting School Board Policy Language” »

The superintendent must inform the school board when an emergency occurs that involves a student or employee.  It is better for the superintendent to have an established emergency school board communication plan than to improvise when under pressure during an emergency.  An effective emergency school board communication plan should contain two essential elements:  truth and clarity.

The first step in an emergency school board communication plan is a description of exactly what happened.  In one paragraph the superintendent accurately states the facts, using who, what, why, when and how statements.  If all the facts are unknown, then the superintendent should state only what is known along with an assurance of further clarification when more becomes known. Continue reading “Informing the School Board of an Emergency” »

Conflict between school board members or with the superintendent can be a serious matter. It may be divisive, lead to hard feelings, or even a desire for revenge; none of which serve the best interest of students, staff or the district. Who should resolve interpersonal conflict on the school board?

If a conflict occurs between two board members, then the board president should meet privately with each of them. If a private discussion is not possible or unproductive, then the board president should meet privately with both of them and attempt to arrive at a mutually agreed upon solution. The vice-president should follow the process if the conflict is between the board president and another board member.

Continue reading “Resolving Interpersonal Conflict on the School Board” »