1. CMS Essentials: Understanding Our Public Schools Board of Education 1

2. CMS Essentials: Understanding Our Public Schools Board of Education Members

3. CMS Essentials: Understanding Our Public Schools "The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well, do, for themselves - in their separate, and individual capacities." Abraham Lincoln 3

4. CMS Essentials: Understanding Our Public Schools "...it is a struggle for maintaining in the world, that form, and substance of government, whose leading object is, to elevate the condition of men- to lift artificial weights from all shoulders- to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all- to afford all, an unfettered start, and a fair chance, in the race of life." Abraham Lincoln 4

5. Core Beliefs and Commitments Theories of Action for Change Reform Policies Policy Development and Oversight Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships Building Blocks of Reform Governance Superintendent Governance Management Represents District Organization Chart ‘What School Boards Can Do’ – Donald R. McAdams

6. CMS Essentials: Understanding Our Public Schools VISION Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools provides all students the best education available anywhere, preparing every child to lead a rich and productive life. MISSION The mission of CMS is to maximize academic achievement by every student in every school. 6

7. CMS Essentials: Understanding Our Public Schools Core Beliefs We believe that: Public education is central to our democracy Our principals and teachers make the critical difference in student achievement We are responsible for building and maintaining high performing organizations that ensure all students will successfully acquire the knowledge, skills and values necessary for success Engaging the student’s family and the community in the education process enhances learning and academic achievement. 7

8. CMS Essentials: Understanding Our Public Schools BASED ON THESE CORE BELIEFS, WE ARE COMMITTED TO: Providing all students with the opportunity to perform to their fullest potential and ensuring that there is no discernable difference between the achievement levels of students by race, gender or economic level..Preparing all students to be successful in institutions of higher learning or the workforce without a need for remediation..Providing a clear Theory of Action and an effective Superintendent to lead its implementation..Giving all students access to a well-rounded, rigorous curriculum that is research-based and data driven..Basing our educational culture on merit and individual achievement CONTINUED… 8

9. CMS Essentials: Understanding Our Public Schools BASED ON THESE CORE BELIEFS, WE ARE COMMITTED TO:..Embracing our community’s diversity and using it to enhance the educational environment..Operating effectively and efficiently with fiscal accountability..Securing and allocating adequate resources according to the needs of each child..Providing safe and orderly learning and working environments..Ensuring that an effective principal leads every school..Ensuring that an effective teacher instructs each class..Providing resources for relevant professional development..Encouraging and providing engagement opportunities for all students’ families..Partnering with community members to maximize student learning 9

10. CMS Essentials: Understanding Our Public Schools CMS School Board Theory of Action Managed Performance/Empowerment District and Board Responsibility Decentralization School Based Responsibility and Freedom and Flexibility A Framework for Continuous Improvement 10

11. CMS Essentials: Understanding Our Public Schools As the governing body of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the Board of Education has three key areas of responsibility: Policy Making and Governance Select and support the superintendent/CEO Establish school district policy Determine the annual operating and capital budgets Approve student assignment boundaries Management Oversight Academic Financial Operations Leadership Build trust and confidence in the school system 11

12. CMS Essentials: Understanding Our Public Schools School Board Member Skills = Leadership Skills Self –AwarenessAbility to recognize and understand your moods, emotions, and drives, as well as their effect on others Self – RegulationAbility to control or redirect disruptive impulses and moods; the propensity to suspend judgment- to think before acting MotivationA passion for the work for reasons that go beyond status or money; the propensity to pursue goals with energy and persistence EmpathyAbility to understand the emotional make up of other people; skill in treating people according to their emotional reactions Social SkillProficiency in managing relationships and building networks; an ability to find common ground and build rapport 12

13. CMS Essentials: Understanding Our Public Schools The primary duty of an elected official in a democratic government is not inflame but to inform the public. Paraphrased from Abraham Lincoln 13