1. Superintendent/Board Secretary Working relationship
September 2019

2. Agenda My background as Superintendent
Superintendent and Board Secretary role
Small, medium, large districts – what are the differences?
BOE policies
Community engagement
Legal
Communications
Board meetings
Working with BOE members
Q & A

3. My background as Superintendent
12th year as school superintendent
South Harrison R-II (3 years as supt) – 850 students, three schools
Maryville R-II (4 years as supt) – 1,489 students, four schools
Jefferson City School District (5th year as supt) – 8,968 students, 18 schools
25th year in education
Business teacher, counselor, coach, Director

4. My Leadership Role as Superintendent
Facilitate collective action through learning, partnerships and stewardship
WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER!

5. Board secretary role Key to a successful school district
“If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”
Must be on the same page!!
Board of Education Secretary
JC Schools custodian of records
Works “hand in hand” with Superintendent
Conduit between BOE and Superintendent
Liaison between Superintendent and stakeholders
Emergency contact

6. Small, Medium, Large Districts
Similarities
Can always improve working stronger together
Learning, Partnerships, Stewardship
“Takes all kinds to make the world go round”
Differences
Levels of engagement may or may not vary
Levels of expectations may or may not vary
Committee meetings/focus groups
# of schools – events & activities

7. JCPS Vision – Premier School District

9. BOE Policies MSBA recommended updates The role of the policy committee
Small
Medium
Large
Staff/BOE input, finalize language, communications with MSBA

10. Community Engagement – “whatever it takes to develop collective action”
Keeps me organized – calendar, , board meeting agenda
Scheduling
Open door policy
Coffee w/ Larry
Rounding w/ Larry
Town hall meetings
School parent meetings
Bond issue (107 meetings) & boundary line changes (74 meetings)
Capital City High School
Focus groups (diversity, facilities, athletics, student behaviors, reading, etc)
Media – radio, TV, newspaper, tweets

11. Upset patrons Protect board secretary Welcome smiles
1st line of defense
Defuse when possible
Redirect as needed
“give in” when needed

12. Legal Lawsuits Communications with attorneys Custodian of records
Communications with BOE
More active if superintendent named
Sunshine law requests – small, medium, large

13. Communications with BOE
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Written, digital, texting
Emergency situations
Building level
BOE

14. Board packets Development of the Agenda
Department reports – deadline of all reports and documentation
Commentaries
Changes in the agenda
Board docs - recent

15. Board meetings Attendance of patrons Live streaming Open forum Media
TV & Newspaper
Controversy

16. Working with BOE members
All on the same team – do not divide
Don’t manipulate BOE Secretary – which side?
Consistency
Honesty
Face to face or involve board president when necessary

17. What questions do you have???