Superintendent/School Board Relationship

Superintendent/School Board Relationship

ByArturo Alferez, Casey Burkhart,

Darren Cole, Alecia Hancock

ByArturo Alferez, Casey Burkhart,

Darren Cole, Alecia Hancock

ObjectiveObjectiveTo 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 PositiveKeep 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 PositiveKeep 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 RelationshipNegative RelationshipCommunication 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 RelationshipNegative 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 AroundHow 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 AdviceOther 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 AdviceOther 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.

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.

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

DODO

Be willing to make unpopular recommendations and admit your

mistakes.

Be willing to make unpopular recommendations and admit your

mistakes.

DON’TDON’T

Misuse district funds and resources.Misuse district funds and resources.

DON’TDON’T

Overwhelm the board with information.Overwhelm the board with information.

ReferencesReferences

http://toonedinpottsmerc.blogspot.com

CBS7.com

Teachercartoon.com

http://toonedinpottsmerc.blogspot.com

CBS7.com

Teachercartoon.com