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Board Chair Workshop

Presented by:

Vermont School Boards Association

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Role of Board Chair

Move issues to action Know parliamentary procedure Maintain policy leadership focus Collaborate with superintendent Understand all issues before vote Uphold laws and Code of Ethics

3

Role of Board Chair

Identify roles & responsibilities Remain aware of board dynamics Prepare effective meeting agendas Manage meeting time & bd. priorities Lead board in annual goal assessment

and align bd. work w/ school goals

4

Policy Definition

Power to set direction for school

Bring about prudent action by administrators, staff, and board

Defines “what” should be done

5

Policy Role

Foster stability & continuity

Keep people informed about goals

Clarify board-superintendent relations

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Policy Role

Save superintendent time and effort

Allows for more efficient school operation

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Policies & Procedures

Update policies every 3 to 5 yearsSeparate policy from adm. procedures

– Use different colored pages– Include in teacher/student handbooks– Post on school web site– Distribute at board meetings

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Key Work of School Boards

Presented by:

Vermont School

Boards Association

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Vision

Provide future-focused directionLink strategic & action planning to

local, state & national priorities Involve staff and communityPromote high achievement for all

students

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Standards

Clarify specific standardsConnect local & state expectations Include academic & social skillsCreate environment for high-level

learning Identify benchmarks

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Assessment

– Create feedback system – Ensure school goals are met– Base decisions on results– Use to improve services– Ask right questions

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Accountability

Focus on student performanceEnsure all students succeedReport achievement to school &

communityEvaluate staff & adm. performanceCorrect deficiencies

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Alignment

Connect quality standards to school priorities

Link resources to goalsEnsure instruction & performance

targets are aligned with assessment system

Walk the talk!

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Climate & Culture

Focuses on high quality learningHas powerful influence on behaviorHow parents & community view

schoolOpen communicationRespect, civility & no bullying

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Collaborative Relationship

Work in teams Build trust & respectCreate unselfish relationshipsConnect businesses & community Focus on student success

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Continuous Improvement

Pay attention to quality Improve student & school

performance annuallyRemain customer-focusedDevelop relationships that foster high

achievement

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Leadership Team Goal Alignment

Use action plan to implement academic/social portion of strategic plan

Link board and administrative annual work plans to the school strategic & action plans

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Leadership Team Goal Alignment

Combine all technology, action, facilities and other plans within strategic plan

Work with others to create su/district plan

Connect school plans with su/district plan

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Effective Board Chair Strategies

Focus meetings on key workDelegate mtg. time management to

other board memberFacilitate agenda discussionManage contentious issues

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Effective Board Chair Strategies

Interpret, summarize & reflect ideasEngage all board membersRestrict dominating individualsHelp board reach common ground

decisions

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Effective Board Chair Strategies

Utilize parliamentary procedureEmpower one person speaks for

board Insist board & administrators follow

prescribed roles and responsibilities Introduce speakers & meeting guests

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Effective Board Chair Strategies

Pre-plan meetings & anticipate problems

Speak in ways everyone understandsPresent info with power point slidesModel proactive behavior

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Effective Board Chair Strategies

Consider all opinions & feedbackFocus work on child well-beingAlways maintain control over meetingTurn feedback into open-ended

questions

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Effective Board Chair Strategies

Redirect non-agenda issues to next meeting

Continue to restate agenda items until decisions are made

Insist board follows Code of EthicsUse humor, empathy, facts to manage

contentious issues

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Robert’s Rules for Small Boards

• Board may vote without motion

• Chair may make motions

• Chair may speak on issues

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Robert’s Rules for Small Boards

Floor not required for motions

Motions not seconded

No limits to speak

No limits on debate

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Robert’s Rules for Small Boards

• Chair usually votes regardless of tie

• Board decisions made by consensus

• Informality makes decisions and minutes more difficult

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Communications PlanHeadline statement3 facts for public to rememberPrimary audience to reachSecondary audienceMost important message to communitySchool contact person

– Phone # & times available

School Boards

Three Roles of a Democracy

3 Roles of the Board

Legislative

Develop and Adopt Policies

Executive

Hire & Fire Staff

Judicial

Hold Hearings

The Vital Link:The Vital Link: Board-Superintendent Relations

Presented by:

Vermont School Boards Association

Leaders are Seen on the

High Ground Pointing the DirectionHigh Ground Pointing the Direction

“A leader does not use a weather vane to gauge public opinion, but rather a compass to point the direction.”

-- Ehud Barak, Former Israeli Prime Minister

What the School Board has a Right to ExpectRight to Expect from a Superintendent

1. Personal integrity under pressure.

2. Develops, maintains and implements policy.

3. Sensitive to feelings, beliefs and commitments of public, staff, and board.

4. Understands that board members are elected officials.

5. Skilled in communications.

What the School Board has a Right to ExpectRight to Expect from a Superintendent

(Continued)

6. Prudent manager of district resources.

7. Develops long-range financial plan.

8. Develops a positive relationship with the board.

9. Briefs board on employment decisions.

10. Springs no surprises.

What the Superintendent Has a Right to ExpectRight to Expect from the School Board

1. Trust, confidence, and professional respect.

2. Fair and honest job evaluation.

3. Supports adopted policies.

4. Willingly considers staff input and recommendations.

5. Prepared to do their job.

What the Superintendent has a Right to ExpectRight to Expect from the School Board

(Continued)

6. Adheres to high standards of ethical behavior.

7. Demonstrates realism, confidence and patience.

8. Strives to attain educational goals.

9. No surprises.

Be cautious of crossing the center line School Board Superintendent

Governs: Guides, directs

Decides what

Requests information

Considers issues

Creates, review and adopts policy

Reviews and approves plans

Monitors progress

Contracts witn personnel

Approves evaluation criteria and procedures

Reviews and approves budget

Represents public interests

Administers: Operates, manages

Decides how

Seeks and provides information

Provides recommendations

Recommends and carries out policy

Implements plans

Reports progress

Supervises hiring process and practices

Supervises and evaluates personnel

Formulates budget

Acts in public interest

The Board and Superintendent Relationship

The Board and Superintendent Relationship

Superintendent EvaluationSuperintendent Evaluation

Based on District Strategic Plan

Contract Comprehensive/Clear

Mutually Agreed Job DescriptionMutually Agreed Job Description

Written Evaluation Procedure

Appraisal Instrument

Team Partnership

Foundation of Team Work

Assure schools are well managedNot directly managed by Board

Board Members function as a Board – not individually

Primary role – policy adoption

Operates as aTEAM

Observe Lines of Authority

Leadership Team Reality

“Whenever you have a new board member or administrator, you have a new team.”

1. Purpose:Purpose: Members proudly share a sense of why the team exists

2. Priorities:Priorities: Members know what needs to be done next

3. Roles:Roles: Members know their roles in getting tasks done

4. Decisions:Decisions: Authority and decision-making lines are clearly understood

Ten CharacteristicsTen Characteristics of Well-Functioning Teams

Ten CharacteristicsTen Characteristics of Well-Functioning Teams

5. Conflict:Conflict: Conflict is dealt with directly and openly

6. Personal TraitsPersonal Traits: Members feel their unique personalities are appreciated

7. Norms:Norms: Group norms for working together are set

Ten CharacteristicsTen Characteristics of Well-Functioning Teams (Continued)

8. Effectiveness:Effectiveness: Members find team efficient and productive

9. Success:Success: Members know clearly when the team has met with success

10. Training:Training: Opportunities for feedback and updating skills are provided

Elements of a Strong Elements of a Strong Board-Superintendent Partnership

Periodic

PeriodicEvaluation

Evaluation

Periodic

PeriodicEvaluation

Evaluation

MutualMutual

SupportSupportMutual

Mutual

SupportSupport

CarefulCareful

PlanningPlanningCareful

Careful

PlanningPlanning

FullFullDisclosureDisclosure

FullFullDisclosureDisclosure Frequent

FrequentTwo-way

Two-way

Communication

Communication

Frequent

FrequentTwo-way

Two-way

Communication

Communication

Informal Interaction

Informal Interaction

STRONG

PARTNERSHIPS

STRONG

PARTNERSHIPS