Superintendent/School Board Relationship By Arturo Alferez, Casey Burkhart, Darren Cole, Alecia Hancock By

ObjectiveObjective To analyze superintendent/school board relationships to determine what makes a relationship positive or negative. Interviews were conducted with superintendents to gather data specific to what superintendents can do to keep the relationship positive and what can damage the relationship. To analyze superintendent/school board relationships to determine what makes a relationship positive or negative. Interviews were conducted with superintendents to gather data specific to what superintendents can do to keep the relationship positive and what can damage the relationship.

Keep it Positive Be fair with all seven members/Do not team up with one or two. Be a team player. Be ready to conform to their ideas/It is their school and community. Communication and honesty are very important. School Boards do not like surprises. Be fair with all seven members/Do not team up with one or two. Be a team player. Be ready to conform to their ideas/It is their school and community. Communication and honesty are very important. School Boards do not like surprises.

Keep it Positive Provide the Board with much information. Be professional. Do what you say you will do. Integrity is very important. Build strong relationships with Board members. Make it okay to disagree respectfully and move on to the next issue. Provide the Board with much information. Be professional. Do what you say you will do. Integrity is very important. Build strong relationships with Board members. Make it okay to disagree respectfully and move on to the next issue.

Negative Relationship Communication and trust become an issue. They are not supporting your decisions. Split votes. Body language/facial expressions. Making major changes without informing the board first. Communication and trust become an issue. They are not supporting your decisions. Split votes. Body language/facial expressions. Making major changes without informing the board first.

Negative Relationship Board members start to challenge even the smallest decisions. Board members interfering with too many activities. Micromanaging. Board members start to challenge even the smallest decisions. Board members interfering with too many activities. Micromanaging.

How to Turn it Around Board/Superintendent work sessions. Face to face meetings. Meet with the President to seek advice. Team building sessions. Provide training for the Board so that everyone understands their role. Board/Superintendent work sessions. Face to face meetings. Meet with the President to seek advice. Team building sessions. Provide training for the Board so that everyone understands their role.

Other Advice Do not jump into the position unless you are sure you are ready. It is very different. The superintendency requires many sacrifices, so make sure you are willing to make them. Understand the community you are in before you make major changes. Do not jump into the position unless you are sure you are ready. It is very different. The superintendency requires many sacrifices, so make sure you are willing to make them. Understand the community you are in before you make major changes.

Other Advice Be willing to relocate. Be aware that board members and community members may be jealous of your salary. Keep your cell phone your cell phone. Be willing to relocate. Be aware that board members and community members may be jealous of your salary. Keep your cell phone your cell phone.

DODO Talk to all and give the same information to every board member and be honest.

DODO Be prepared for every board meeting by sending notices and agenda on time.

DODO Be willing to make unpopular recommendations and admit your mistakes.

DON’TDON’T Misuse district funds and resources.

DON’TDON’T Overwhelm the board with information.

ReferencesReferences CBS7.com Teachercartoon.com CBS7.com Teachercartoon.com