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Board Chair Workshop

Board Chair Workshop. Presented by: Vermont School Boards Association. 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.

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Board Chair Workshop

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  1. Board Chair Workshop Presented by: Vermont School Boards Association

  2. 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

  6. Policy Role • Save superintendent time and effort • Allows for more efficient school operation

  7. Policies & Procedures • Update policies every 3 to 5 years • Separate policy from adm. procedures • Use different colored pages • Include in teacher/student handbooks • Post on school web site • Distribute at board meetings

  8. Key Work of School Boards Presented by: Vermont School Boards Association

  9. Vision • Provide future-focused direction • Link strategic & action planning to local, state & national priorities • Involve staff and community • Promote high achievement for all students

  10. Standards • Clarify specific standards • Connect local & state expectations • Include academic & social skills • Create environment for high-level learning • Identify benchmarks

  11. Assessment • Create feedback system • Ensure school goals are met • Base decisions on results • Use to improve services • Ask right questions

  12. Accountability • Focus on student performance • Ensure all students succeed • Report achievement to school & community • Evaluate staff & adm. performance • Correct deficiencies

  13. Alignment • Connect quality standards to school priorities • Link resources to goals • Ensure instruction & performance targets are aligned with assessment system • Walk the talk!

  14. Climate & Culture • Focuses on high quality learning • Has powerful influence on behavior • How parents & community view school • Open communication • Respect, civility & no bullying

  15. Collaborative Relationship • Work in teams • Build trust & respect • Create unselfish relationships • Connect businesses & community • Focus on student success

  16. Continuous Improvement • Pay attention to quality • Improve student & school performance annually • Remain customer-focused • Develop relationships that foster high achievement

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. Effective Board Chair Strategies • Focus meetings on key work • Delegate mtg. time management to other board member • Facilitate agenda discussion • Manage contentious issues

  20. Effective Board Chair Strategies • Interpret, summarize & reflect ideas • Engage all board members • Restrict dominating individuals • Help board reach common ground decisions

  21. Effective Board Chair Strategies • Utilize parliamentary procedure • Empower one person speaks for board • Insist board & administrators follow prescribed roles and responsibilities • Introduce speakers & meeting guests

  22. Effective Board Chair Strategies • Pre-plan meetings & anticipate problems • Speak in ways everyone understands • Present info with power point slides • Model proactive behavior

  23. Effective Board Chair Strategies • Consider all opinions & feedback • Focus work on child well-being • Always maintain control over meeting • Turn feedback into open-ended questions

  24. 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 Ethics • Use humor, empathy, facts to manage contentious issues

  25. Robert’s Rules for Small Boards • Board may vote without motion • Chair may make motions • Chair may speak on issues

  26. Robert’s Rules for Small Boards • Floor not required for motions • Motions not seconded • No limits to speak • No limits on debate

  27. Robert’s Rules for Small Boards • Chair usually votes regardless of tie • Board decisions made by consensus • Informality makes decisions and minutes more difficult

  28. Communications Plan • Headline statement • 3 facts for public to remember • Primary audience to reach • Secondary audience • Most important message to community • School contact person • Phone # & times available

  29. School Boards Three Roles of a Democracy

  30. 3 Roles of the Board Legislative Develop and Adopt Policies Executive Hire & Fire Staff Judicial Hold Hearings

  31. The Vital Link:Board-Superintendent Relations Presented by: Vermont School Boards Association

  32. Leaders are Seen on the High 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

  33. What the School Board has a Right 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.

  34. What the School Board has a Right 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.

  35. What the Superintendent Has a Right 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.

  36. What the Superintendent has a Right 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.

  37. Superintendent Evaluation

  38. Foundation of Team Work

  39. Leadership Team Reality “Whenever you have a new board member or administrator, you have a new team.”

  40. Ten Characteristics of Well-Functioning Teams 1. Purpose: Members proudly share a sense of why the team exists 2. Priorities: Members know what needs to be done next 3. Roles: Members know their roles in getting tasks done 4. Decisions: Authority and decision-making lines are clearly understood

  41. Ten Characteristicsof Well-Functioning Teams 5. Conflict: Conflict is dealt with directly and openly 6. Personal Traits: Members feel their unique personalities are appreciated 7. Norms: Group norms for working together are set

  42. Ten Characteristicsof Well-Functioning Teams (Continued) • 8.Effectiveness:Members find team efficient and productive • 9. Success:Members know clearly when the team has met with success • 10.Training: Opportunities for feedback and updating skills are provided

  43. Elements of a Strong Board-Superintendent Partnership Full Disclosure Mutual Support Frequent Two-way Communication STRONG PARTNERSHIPS Periodic Evaluation Careful Planning Informal Interaction

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