1. Board to Superintendent Relationships
New Board Member Workshop – Dec. 3, 2016
Superintendent David Styler – Millard School District
Jeff Schena – Millard School District Board of Education Vice-President

2. The Basics… Understanding of Roles Building and Maintaining Trust
Appropriate Communications

3. Which part is mine and which part is yours…
The Roles…
Which part is mine and which part is yours…

4. Every person in the organization has a place and a function…

5. A major component for success is understanding one’s role and responsibilities.

6. Who in this picture best represents the role of a school board?
A major component for success is understanding one’s role and responsibilities.
Who in this picture best represents the role of a school board?

7. The Board sets policy and has oversight responsibilities.=

8. The Board as a body represents the oversight entity for the district.

9. Understanding roles and responsibilities…
Who in this picture best represents the role of a superintendent?

10. The Superintendent and Business Administrator are hired by the board with the responsibility of carrying out the policies of the board

11. When it comes to policy…
Board Members create policy to set the direction of the district.
Superintendents carry out the policies that are made by the board.

12. Goals
Goals

13. So…who does Coach Sloan best represent?

14. District and School Administrators… “where the rubber hits the road…”

15. What does that look like?
The Trust…
You have hired administrators and entrusted them to carry out the operations of the district.
What does that look like?

16. You will assist your superintendent and your board a great deal by remembering the following “Never Behaviors.”
Never promise your vote on an upcoming issue before the meeting where the vote will be taken. You never know what new information you might receive.
Never make a promise of employment to anyone.
Never promise to have an employee dismissed.
Never promise parents a specific result or circumstance for their child at their school.
Never promise vendors a contract.
Never promise to share what you hear and know in your role as a Board member.

17. Let’s consider best practices…
* These may vary in practice from district to district, so please become acquainted with your district’s board member handbook to understand how things are conducted where you are serving.

18. Whose role does it best fit to recommend employment?
Instructional Assistant?
Coach?
Teacher?
Principal?
District Level Director?
*Who approves all employment decisions?

19. Receiving Public Concerns…
Board members represent the public and are often the “receivers” for concerns and suggestions.
…who is best positioned to handle these?

20. Understand the traps before you step in one…
Scenario 0ne…
Walking down the aisle in a store, a patron approaches you and says, I’m glad you were elected. Now you’ll get rid of Mrs. Jones. How do you plan to go about it?
Your Response?

21. Understand the traps before you step in one…
Scenario Two…
A parent corners you at a ball game and wants to see a change of the junior varsity coach because the coach has a grudge against their child…
Your Response?

22. Understand the traps before you step in one…
Scenario Three…
Patrons come to you because they want the board to ask for an exception to the busing policy. They have asked repeatedly for a bus to come down their lane and turn around on private property, but have been turned down by the transportation director. They say, “We’re glad we elected you to fix things like this.”
Your Response?

23. The Communication…
The Superintendent is always open to you. Please be mindful of time constraints and other responsibilities, but never hesitate to ask questions.
Do not put the superintendent in difficult positions by unreasonable and inappropriate requests. Only the board as a body can direct policy and practices.
Be patient with communications at inconvenient times and places. Situations occur at odd hours. Expect the superintendent to communicate situations to you that might come to you through other channels so you can be prepared to respond appropriately.
You are never the mouthpiece of the board unless the board takes action to appoint you to serve as such.
When communicating with constituent groups it should be with the knowledge of the board and is best to do so with administrative assistance to aid in answering procedural questions.
Keep confidential items confidential! This is an imperative!

24. Moving beyond politics…how to be a great board member
Moving beyond politics…how to be a great board member. (From a superintendent’s perspective)
Do your homework. Know your policies and procedures. Abide by them or change them. This is the prime responsibility of the board. Administration will carry them out as they understand them.
Participate in professional development opportunities.
Represent your area, but make decisions on what is best for the whole.
Trust the people you have hired to run the district, but always expect accountability.
Support the decisions of the entire body as much as possible.
Remember that as a board member you do not have the authority to give directions to the superintendent, other administrators, or teachers. Only the board as a body can direct operations.
No surprises. Don’t throw something at the board or the superintendent in a meeting that they have neither heard of nor prepared for.
Don’t throw other board members or administration under the bus to deflect criticism for decisions.

25. The Basics… Understanding of Roles Building and Maintaining Trust
Appropriate Communications

26. Thank You for your commitment to serve!
Questions?