What Should I Do?

WhatSHOULD

I Do?A Guide to School Board Member Effectiveness

Florida School Boards Association

Citizens often run for school board and find when elected, they know little regarding the actual role of school board member.

They may possess a strong knowledge about the district, but have a limited background in working with a governing board and conducting business in a public setting.

Or, they may have some experience in working with other boards, but have very little knowledge of education and many functions of a district.

Each board member brings different experiences and knowledge to the position.

FSBA is here to help Florida school board members learn to use this diversity to become a highly effective school board.

New board members as well as experienced board members can benefit from the advice offered here.

Oftentimes, the question asked of FSBA is, “What should I do?”

Here is a compilation of some of the best advice and suggestions for board service.

What Should I Do?

Place children at the center of your decision-making process.

Balancing the interests of taxpayers and employees is important, but not at the expense of the student.

What Should I Do?

Be an advocate for children. This involves more than just attending school events, although that is an important aspect of your job.

What Should I Do?

Form collaborative and cooperative networks among the school district, the community, and the legislature to benefit children.

What Should I Do?

Put your own political agenda aside and focus on the students.

What Should I Do?

Become informed on state and national matters regarding education.

Understanding the big picture is the first step in preparing for the future.

What Should I Do?

Your homework!Read the information that you have been given to prepare for the meeting. Being prepared and informed on issues helps you make better decisions.

“It’s what you learn after you know it all

that counts.”

John Wooden

What Should I Do?

Ask questions!

Don’t make assumptions!

What Should I Do?

Contact the superintendent for clarification BEFORE a meeting if there are questions about an agenda item.This way there is ample time to make sure the appropriate staff is present at the meeting if necessary.

What Should I Do?

Take time to learn about your district.

Research shows that boards from high performing school districts are knowledgeable about the initiatives that are in place to ensure optimal learning is occurring.

What Should I Do?Visit the schools and participate in district and school activities.

• Your interest and visibility will be appreciated.

• Be considerate of the principal and staff.

• Don’t interrupt the important business they are conducting.

What Should I Do?

Understand that individual board members represent the entire school system and, only secondarily, represent a constituency.

What Should I Do?

Take advantage of every opportunity to learn formally and informally.

What Should I Do?

The Iowa Association of School Boards conducted research to find out what school board members can do to impact student achievement. One of the five essential behaviors is learning together as a board team.

Never stop learning!To see more on the research from the IASB, click here

http://www.ia-sb.org/StudentAchievement.aspx?id=436

What Should I Do?

Take some time for personal reflection.

Look for ways to improve and think about what you want to accomplish during your time on the board.

You can only get things done with a majority vote on your board.You can’t do it alone.

Remember

What Should I Do?

Don’t take things personally.

During your term, some decisions will go your way and some will not.

After a decision has been made, immediately move on.

If the horse is dead, dismount.

What Should I Do?

Keep a sense of humor.

“He who laughs,lasts.”Mary Pettibone Poole

Don’t take yourself too seriously.

What Should I Do?

Maintain a thick skin.If you “buy into” the good things that are said and written about you, you must also pay attention to the critical things that are said or written.

What Should I Do?

Make the tough decisions.Don’t be afraid to take a difficult stand. But, be prepared with an explanation as to why you took the position.

It’s easy to make the politically popular decisions, but sometimes you have to pull up your boot straps and do the difficult—but right—thing.Your community elected you to do just that.

What Should I Do?

Attend all regularly scheduled board meetings if possible and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings.

What Should I Do?Always, always maintain your integrity and be ethical. It is Florida Law.

Familiarize yourself with the following:

“Ethics in Government”, Article II, Section 8, Constitution of the State of Florida

“Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees”, Florida Statute 112.311

And, as an elected official, know that you are always setting an example for others.

What Should I Do?Ethics 101

Only make promises you can keep.

Oftentimes when running for office, promises are made that can’t be kept. The reality of the situation is that it takes a majority to make things happen—one person can’t deliver on a commitment without the support of a majority of the board.

If you have made a promise and realize that you can’t keep it, be up front and honest about your inability to follow through.

Always operate under theSunshine Law.Courts have found that both the letter and spirit of the law must be followed to remain in compliance.

F.S. 286.011

In short, all of the public’s business and discussion about it must be conducted in public.

F.S. 286.011

Always operate under the Florida Public Record Laws.As an elected school board member, you MUST ensure that documents and records used during the transaction of official business are maintained and accessible to the public.

Article I, Section 24 Florida ConstitutionF.S. 119

Regardless of physical form, all transmissions made or received in connection with the transaction of school board business is considered a public record.

Remember

If you don’t want to see something on the front page or in the headlines, don’t write it in an email, text, note, blog, or letter.

Litigation and/or criminal charges may result from a failure to comply with public records laws or Sunshine Laws. School boards and school board members should seek appropriate legal advice on these issues.

Article I, Section 24 Florida ConstitutionF.S. 119

F.S. 286.011

Avoid situations that might put you in a position that could cause a conflict of interest.

“There is no right way to do the wrong thing.”

Be trustworthy.Maintain your word and confidences, including content shared during executive sessions.

Action, indeed, is the sole medium of expression for ethics.Jane Addams

Think about it...

Ethics is all about doing the RIGHT thing. As an elected official, the public is watching what you do in ALL situations. Once your credibility is put in question, it is difficult to gain it back.

Keep your actions above reproach.

What Should I Do?Day to Day Operations

Understand your role as a board member and the role of the superintendent.

Superintendent

1001.42, Florida Statutes

Focus on policy and governance; avoid micromanaging.

Superintendent

Allow the superintendent and staff to manage and administer.

Micromanaging confuses staff and puts them in an uncomfortable position. It also undermines the authority of the superintendent.

Learn the district’s chain of command and be sure it has been followed before stepping in to help “solve” a problem.

Respond to individual concerns by asking for an opportunity to check into the situation.

It is important that YOU use the proper chain of command when getting involved in an issue.

Don’t expect to “fix” all the problems (real or perceived) people tell you about.

Get all perspectives of a situation before forming an opinion or determining that someone is at fault.

Avoid prejudging a situation.

Listen to all sides, get the facts, and then make your decision.

Offer to share what you learn at professional trainings or conferences with your other board members.

Be open to all opportunities to learn.

Try to make people who appear before the board feel welcome by looking at them while they speak.

Try to keep an open face, warm voice and positive body language when speaking to the public AND to your fellow board members.

It is often not “what” you say but “how” you say it.

Watch your non-verbalcommunication!

Don’t get involved in personnel matters.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to direct all staff.1001.51(7) Florida Statutes

Keep your comments positive to the media, in public or in private.

There is no such thing as “off the record”.

One of your most important roles as a board member is to be an advocate for your school system. Negativity from board members is destructive.

Be patient!Things don’t happen overnight.

Answer emails, phone calls, and all correspondence.Being responsive is key to being an effective board member. You serve the public and the expectation is that their concerns and requests will be responded to in a timely manner.

Pick your battles.You can win the battle and lose the war if every issue becomes a fight.

Be slow to speak.

Once you say something, you can’t take it back.

Find a balance between your duties as a board member and your obligations to your family.

What Should I Do?The Leadership Team

The school board and the superintendent comprise the district leadership team.

How this group of people work together and interact will set the tone for the district.

Start with the basics.

Be a good listener.

Listen to the public, to the staff, to the superintendent and listen to each other very carefully.

Practice active listening.

Show respect to fellow board members when they are speaking.Side conversations, paper shuffling, and disinterest while they have the floor is simply rude.

Be aware of non-verbal communications with your leadership team also.Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

Spend time getting to know your leadership team members.Building a positive, personal relationship based on trust and respect will payoff in the long run. You don’t have to like your teammates but you do have to create a successful working environment.

I had no idea! I grew up in Michigan, too!

Avoid surprising your teammates.

Bombshell issues cannot be satisfactorily resolved when others are caught off guard.

Advocate for your position, then support the board’s majority decision even if it wasn’t what you wanted.

Always speak the truth.Don’t tell people what you think they want to hear. It isn’t fair to the team.

Hold on to your beliefs and share them clearly with others.

“The man who pays an ounce of principle for a pound of popularity gets badly cheated.”

Be careful about speaking on behalf of the board.

YOUR opinion is not always THE opinion of the board. Don’t speak for them unless you have been delegated to do so.

Don’t throw your leadership team members under the bus.

Who is it going to be this week?

Your name here?

Develop a process with the superintendent for requesting information from staff.

I have three board members asking me for five different things. How will I ever get my job done?

Always be mindful of the amount of staff time you are using with your calls, drop-in visits, requests, etc.

Attack the problem, not the people.

Take the high road. Don’t put down, criticize or embarrass staff, fellow board members, or members of the audience at a board meeting.

Don’t allow others to criticize or embarrass staff, fellow board members, or members of the audience at a board meeting.

Focus on developing policy.It is THE fundamental part of a board member’s job description.

Be proactive with your policies.Don’t allow the legislature to write your entire policy manual.

Have a plan in place for those board meetings when controversial issues will be discussed.How will the public’s concerns be handled?

Refrain from responding to citizens during public comment.This is the time to listen. Make sure that a staff person is designated to handle someone who needs immediate attention.

Let the district Chief Negotiator do his or her job.Don’t try to be a “hero” and attend bargaining sessions or contact members of the union in an attempt to individually settle the contract. This can result in an unfair labor practice (ULP) against the district.

Set high expectations.

Research shows that the most important thing a school board can do to impact student achievement is to have high expectations of

EVERY student.

You must take a no excuses approach.

Accept nothing other than improved student achievement.

What Should I Do?Final Thoughts

The school district functions as a system.There are many things to consider when deciding how to vote on an issue or when making an alternative motion.

Once you begin altering one part of the school system, other departments and areas are impacted as well.

Consult with the professionals in your district. Ask how a decision might impact operations.

Direct impact

Indirec

t impact

Induce

d impact

You were elected to the position of school board member because your community believes that you can be trusted with its most valuable assets—its children and its money.

You have been given an absolute trust. Do not violate it.

Earn points toward your Certified Board Member

(CBM) distinction.Now that you have viewed this presentation, click the link below to fill out the CBM Reflection form. You will be awarded 1 point in Communications/ Public Relations once your form has been received by the FSBA Board Development Office.

http://fsba.org/cbm-program-reflection-forms/

If you need any assistance or have any questions, please contact the Florida School Boards Association.

Phone 850-414-2578 www.fsba.org Fax 850-414-2585

203 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301

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