1. District Governance and Board of Trustees
Presented by:
Marvin Thompson, M.B.A., M.Ed.
Associate Director
Region 7 Education Service Center
Region 5 ESC/Board Candidate Workshop/Field Services/September 2012/Rev. 1

2. Agenda What it’s like to be a trustee
A CALL TO SERVICE
2005 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES REGIONAL WORKSHOPS TASB LEADERSHIP TEAM SERVICES
Agenda
What it’s like to be a trustee
Key responsibilities of the board
Division of authority with staff
Summary
Explain the key topics you will be discussing in this workshop.
First we’ll watch a brief video that describes what it’s like to be a board member and talk about what you observe in that.
Next we’ll talk about some of the specific responsibilities of the board. We’ll also look at how those differ from the job of the superintendent.
Then we’ll talk about the importance of understanding your district’s procedures for communicating concerns you hear from the public.
Finally, we’ll talk about some tips for constructive campaigning and tell you how to get more information if we don’t answer all your questions this evening.
Region 5 ESC/Board Candidate Workshop/Field Services/September 2012/Rev. 1

3. What’s so hard about being a Trustee?
You run as an individual, but you serve as a team. (What can one member do?)
What you think vs. what it is. (Even professional educators don’t always understand!)
Focusing on the “Big Picture!” (That would be academics…)
School Finance vs. “Real World” finance. (You would NEVER run your business this way!)
Laws and rules that contradict what you wish to do. (How do you accept what you DON’T want to hear?)

4. What it’s like to be a Trustee TEC §11.051 School Governance
“An independent school district is governed by a board of trustees who, as a body corporate, shall oversee the management of the district.”
Trainer Note:
Give emphasis to the key words BODY CORPORATE.
Have participants discuss slide.
GT-
Region 5 ESC/Board Candidate Workshop/Field Services/September 2012/Rev. 1

5. Power of a Trustee
A Trustee has power as a trustee only when participating in a legally called board meeting.
Toyah ISD vs Pecos-Barstow ISD 466 SW 2nd 377
Court of Appeals – San Antonio 1971
Buchele vs Woods 528 SW 2nd 95
Court of Appeals – Tyler 1975
Trainer Note:
Emphasize “legally called board meeting”.
GT-
Region 5 ESC/Board Candidate Workshop/Field Services/September 2012/Rev. 1

6. Powers and Duties of Trustees
Policy
Budget and Finance
Employment
Property Management
Trainer Note:
The Powers and Duties of Trustees will be discussed in the 5 areas listed.
GT-
Region 5 ESC/Board Candidate Workshop/Field Services/September 2012/Rev. 1

7. Policy
The trustees may adopt rules and bylaws necessary to carry out the powers and duties provided by Subsection b(§11.151(d))
Adopt goals and objectives based on information presented by the superintendent and in conformity with local community expectations, (§ )
GT-
Region 5 ESC/Board Candidate Workshop/Field Services/September 2012/Rev. 1

8. Budget and Finance
Adopt a budget as prepared by Superintendent (§11.201) (d) (6)
Levy taxes (§11.152)
Receive gifts and bequests (§11.156)
Select a depository (Chapter 45: Subchapter G: School District Depositories)
Trainer Note:
Budget must be prepared by the Superintendent and staff – and reviewed by board.
More information about Board Members role and responsibility of budget will be discussed in the support section.
GT-
Region 5 ESC/Board Candidate Workshop/Field Services/September 2012/Rev. 1

9. Employment Employ a superintendent (§11.1513)
Employ other contract personnel upon recommendation of the Superintendent
(§ )
How does nepotism work?
Trainer Note:
Emphasis that the board employees the Superintendent and sets policies for the employment of all other staff.
GT-
Region 5 ESC/Board Candidate Workshop/Field Services/September 2012/Rev. 1

10. Property Management
Acquire and hold real property in the name of the district (§11.151) (a)
Sell minerals in land belonging to the district (§11.153)
Authorize the sale of district property (§11.154)
Exercise eminent domain (§11.155)
GT-
Region 5 ESC/Board Candidate Workshop/Field Services/September 2012/Rev. 1

11. The Superintendent’s Role
A CALL TO SERVICE
2005 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES REGIONAL WORKSHOPS TASB LEADERSHIP TEAM SERVICES
The Superintendent’s Role
“The superintendent is the educational leader and chief executive officer of the school district.”TEC §11.201(a)
The duties of the superintendent include: managing the day-to-day operations of a district as its administrative manager.
TEC §11.201(d)(5)
Key points to emphasize:
The superintendent conducts day-to-day management of the district by doing such things as:
Leading the development of plans to reach goals
Developing administrative procedures to implement policies
Monitoring daily operations
Supervising personnel and evaluating their performance
Implementing the adopted budget
Region 5 ESC/Board Candidate Workshop/Field Services/September 2012/Rev. 1

12. Division of Authority Administration Policy Making
Hiring and Evaluating Personnel
Program Evaluation
Budget
Facilities Planning
Community Relations

13. Ethics, Teamwork, and the Open Meetings Act (Why can’t my Board Member take a position on MY problem?)
Board business should be conducted at Board Meetings
Individual authority and Level 3 hearings
Information should be shared equally among the team at all times
The Superintendent is the information hub for the Board

14. Chain of Command Board of Trustees Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent
Principal/Athletic Director
Assistant Principal/Head Coach
Teacher/Coach/Sponsor

15. Summary
The Board of Trustees works as a Body Corporate to oversee the management of the district through the Superintendent of Schools.
The Board sets policy and goals for the district and evaluates and directs the superintendent to support the achievement of those goals.
The superintendent is responsible for the day to day operations of the district and answers to the Board regarding the success or failure of all aspects of our school’s performance.

16. Region 7 Education Service Center
thank you
Marvin Thompson,
M.B.A., M.Ed.
Associate Director
Region 7 Education Service Center
Region 5 ESC/Board Candidate Workshop/Field Services/September 2012/Rev. 1