Tips on Board Relations Dr. Susan Lockwood, Retired Superintendent and Executive Director
Tips Get to know each board member well Communicate with your board See that board meetings are conducted professionally Utilize Superintendent’s Report to give long range issues to board and community Set Expectations for board members
Know Your Board Members Know who their relatives are—do they attend middle school, work in the lunchroom, teach high school??? Know their interests and concerns Wherever possible give those interests and concerns just enough attention so they support the plans for whole system This is the “nature of the beast” “feed the beast just enough” October 22, 2006October 22, 2006
Your communications build your board member’s confidence in your ability to perform the job Your communications should keep them well informed on topics for which they have legal responsibilities—treat all members fairly It is better for them to have too much information than to be blind-sided Superintendent’s ability to inform is determined by board members’ willingness to handle some information confidentially and professionally. Superintendent’s Communication with Board Members Essential
Formal –Board Packets –Board Meetings –Remarks at Various Community Meetings, School Programs, Commencement –Newspaper Guest Editorials –Newsletters Informal –Periodic Visits to bm –Work Sessions (only when needed) –Phone Calls –AASB District Meetings –Advance Copies –Information Updates/Not in packet Dr. Susan Lockwood What Communications Should the Board Expect?
Everybody doesn’t have to agree all the time, but you need mutual respect. You must be able to trust one another’s word. Secrecy spawns isolation, not success. Knowledge is power, yes, but what leaders need is collective power, and that requires collective knowledge. Help board members appear competent in public meetings—it will pay dividends October 22, 2006 Dr. Susan Lockwood Effective School Board Meetings
EVERY action and word spoken can build confidence in the community of your joint ability to lead the system Help keep meeting on course and end in timely manner Help keep all interactions respectful and professional Ask board members to show interest in administrators, teachers, or other staff who make presentations to the board on topics in their purview of authority (share the spotlight) –This helps to groom them and builds confidence in the “governance team”. Use Superintendent’s Report to help bm understand what future action will be recommended. Listen to bm questions and encourage them to use this opportunity to express their position. There must be open give and take for good governance. Engage in informal interactions at end of meeting for conversation between you and board members –Give informal feedback –Establishes relationship –Allows you to share concerns Superintendent’s Report
Board Packets should be –Clear –Accurate –Superintendent’s Report should lay the foundation for action at future meetings, highlight programs for public and board consumption, and promote positive public relations. To be Informed of matters that allow them to know what public expects them to know about October 22, 2006 Dr. Susan Lockwood What should the Board Members Expect from the Superintendent?
Let board members know you EXPECT them to Review Board Packet PRIOR to meetings –Information in packets IS NOT public information until there is a recommendation and a vote by the board –Only the recommendation, public discussion, and how board members voted MUST BE PUBLIC! This is recorded in minutes. –Discussion should be directed to help everyone make the best decision on the recommendation. –Contact the superintendent prior to the meeting if they have QUESTIONS Expect Board Members to Inform Superintendent when there is complaint or concern In other words, establish a clear Mutual Understanding of how you will work together October 22, 2006 Dr. Susan Lockwood Expect from Board Members
Superintendent can not be successful without a good working relationship with board members