School Board Roles and School Board Roles and ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Four Roles of a Four Roles of a Board MemberBoard Member

VISION - creating a shared vision

STRUCTURE - Applying the vision

ACCOUNTABILITY- Measuring and communicating the vision

ADVOCACY- championing the vision

VisionVision

The board…..• Adopts the district’s strategic plan which

includes goals

• Establishes benchmarks to monitor progress on the strategic plan

• Receives regular status reports on the progress of the plan

StructureStructure

Board/Superintendent relations• Board is responsible for recruiting,

hiring and evaluating the performance of the superintendent

• Compatibility between the superintendent and the board’s vision for the district is critical

StructureStructure

Board/Superintendent relations• The superintendent, as chief executive

officer of the school district, “runs the district”

• The superintendent hires the staff with the approval of the board

StructureStructure

The Board…• Exercises daily supervision and control

primarily through the superintendent

• Does not usually deal directly with individual staff members

• Speaks with one voice to the superintendent and communicates as a whole through the board meeting

StructureStructure

The Board…• Adopts clear policies and goals to guide

the staff

• Allows an occasional mistake by the superintendent.

• Evaluates the superintendent on implementing the district strategic plan and increasing student achievement.

Structure Structure

Policy Development• Policies tell “what to do” without saying

“how” to do it.

• Boards make policy and the administration carries it out

• Boards evaluate the implementation and effect of policy through periodic reports by the administration, etc.

StructureStructure

Financial Resources

Boards establish the budget

based upon the district’s goals

Board MeetingsBoard Meetings

Ask Yourself:

“What message does our

school board meeting send?”

Frame Every DecisionFrame Every Decision

“How will this affect students and increase student achievement?”

AccountabilityAccountability

The board…• Establishes student learning as the

highest priority of the board

• Receives regular reports on student progress and needs

• Tracks the time spent at each meeting on the discussion of ways to increase student achievement

AccountabilityAccountability

The board…• Evaluates the superintendent on the

implementation of the adopted goals and increasing student achievement

• Holds an annual board self evaluation

• Monitors and rewards student achievement

• Asks questions and takes appropriate actions concerning the instructional program

AccountabilityAccountability

The board…• Understands the legal requirements

for education programs

• Communicates financial issues effectively to the community

• Monitors expenditures throughout the year

AdvocacyAdvocacy

The board……• Educates the community on educational

issues and the legislative process

• Serves as an advocate for public education

• Establishes strong relationships with parents and others to help support students

AdvocacyAdvocacy

The board…• Participates in the legislative process

• Takes the lead in celebrating the

achievements of students and others in education.

• Establishes an aggressive public relations plan

AdvocacyAdvocacy

The board…• Creates partnerships with organizations

that serve children

• Promotes school board service as a meaningful way to make long-term contributions to society.

Other IssuesOther Issues

• You have power only when you are sitting together with the rest of the board

• Follow the chain of command!!

• Treat executive sessions like a hot oven - get in and get out!

TeamworkTeamwork

• A successful school board must operate as a team with clear strategies and goals

• Like any team…you can’t really play until all players are together

• Once the vote is taken back the majority. Learn to “disagree agreeably.”

TeamworkTeamwork

• Standing committees can divide a board. Be careful of dividing your team.

• Everyone needs to hear the same information at the same time.

• Remember, information is power.