School Board Roles and Responsibilities

Four Roles of a Board Member VISION - creating a shared vision STRUCTURE - Applying the vision ACCOUNTABILITY- Measuring and communicating the vision ADVOCACY- championing the vision

Vision The board….. Adopts the districts strategic plan which includes goals Establishes benchmarks to monitor progress on the strategic plan Receives regular status reports on the progress of the plan

Structure Board/Superintendent relations Board is responsible for recruiting, hiring and evaluating the performance of the superintendent Compatibility between the superintendent and the boards vision for the district is critical

Structure 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

Structure 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

Structure 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 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.

Structure Financial Resources Boards establish the budget based upon the districts goals

Board Meetings Ask Yourself: What message does our school board meeting send?

Frame Every Decision How will this affect students and increase student achievement?

Accountability 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

Accountability 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

Accountability The board… Understands the legal requirements for education programs Communicates financial issues effectively to the community Monitors expenditures throughout the year

Advocacy 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

Advocacy 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

Advocacy 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 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!

Teamwork A successful school board must operate as a team with clear strategies and goals Like any team…you cant really play until all players are together Once the vote is taken back the majority. Learn to disagree agreeably.

Teamwork 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.