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.
If a conflict occurs between more than two board members, then the president must address the issue at the board meeting. The board should identify the cause and discuss possible solutions. If the discussion becomes heated, then the president can call for a recess to allow tempers to cool; seek a motion to table the discussion or close the meeting.
Conflict also may occur between a board member and the superintendent. Although the superintendent’s instinct may be to attempt to resolve the issue, it is better to involve the board president because of the superintendent’s relationship with the board.
The superintendent is accountable to the board. The board hires and has a contract with the superintendent that describes the terms and conditions of the superintendent’s employment. Board policy outlines the superintendent’s responsibilities. The board may give the superintendent goals or approve them. The board assesses the superintendent. For these reasons, it is in the superintendent’s best interest for the board president to address conflict between a board member and the superintendent.
The board president should meet privately with the board member to seek clarification followed by a private meeting with the superintendent. The president should attempt to mediate a mutually agreed upon solution. If the conflict is between the board president and superintendent, they should seek assistance from the vice-president or someone from the State school board association.
A conflict may also occur between several board members and the superintendent. The board president should seek the advice of the board’s attorney on how to address the issue. This is important because the board has a contract with the superintendent. The board president must insure that the board’s rights and the superintendent’s rights under that contract are preserved. In a very serious matter, if the board decides to suspend or release the superintendent, after an appropriate hearing, then its action must be conducted in open session presumably with the board’s attorney present.
The board president has a pivotal leadership role in resolving interpersonal conflict between board members or with the superintendent.
(#21213)
