1. Head of School’s Board Tool Box NCEA Atlanta 2006

2. “ OLD” SAT analogy Our board is to our school as ________ is to _________

3. Board as control mechanism Dam: river Curbstone : road Border collie: herd Control tower: pilot Landlord: tenant

4. Board as strategic direction setter Compass: navigation Headlights: auto Rudder: boat Guidance system:satellite Periscope: submarine

5. Board as meaning maker Inspiration: poet Values: choices Designer: work of art Vision: implementation

6. Types of Boards Governing Advisory Limited Jurisdiction Each type has different relationships with Head of School, all of which are tricky!

7. Use things from your teacher’s “Bag of Tricks” Modeling what you want: –communication –collaboration Identifying positive examples Start with the end in mind –Objectives –Assessment Clear standards Each class is different and students have different backgrounds and needs

8. GPS System Knowing where you are

9. Mission Focus Catholic identity Student learning Dignity of the teacher Partnership with parents Focused on things that ONLY the Board can do to promote the mission

10. Roles and Responsibilities Board as a whole Individual members Committees Chair Head of school Sponsoring entity

11. Skill sets of Board members Personal and professional backgrounds Orientation On-going Board Formation Attitude of “nose in, fingers out”

12. Current realities of the school Student and faculty profiles Programs Facilities Finances Your concerns Competitive landscape

13. Telescope (not a microscope) Crystal ball

14. Clear vision for five years ahead Planning for next generation of students

15. Target—Goal Setting

16. Goals and Assessment Practices “Data-driven, measurable outcomes” Model by setting your own for the school and your job performance. Report on progress and ask for help.

17. Board Self-Assessments Do we have the right people with the needed expertise to move the school forward? How are we doing operationally? Frequency, time, place of meetings, food Materials and minutes Meeting experience

18. Board Self assessments How are we fulfilling our responsibilities as a board and as committees? What are our goals and what progress are we making? How well do individual board members fulfill their responsibilities?

19. Head of School Assessment Regular executive session with management letter to head. Focus: how can we be supportive? Based on job description Head sets yearly goals with performance measures; reports periodically to the Board Self assessment Chair appoints committee to get input from board members; perhaps some focus groups of constituents.

20. Issues/Questions/Problems Membership: parents of current students, faculty representation Involvement in management issues; confusion of policy and procedures Head of school communication with board members between meetings

21. Board minutes Who else in the administration should attend board meetings What committee meetings should you attend Preparation for meetings; committee reports sent ahead of time What to do about ineffective board members How to show appreciation to board

22. Implications of Sarbanes Oxley Separate Audit committee Conflict of interest policy Whistleblower protection policy Review by-laws and Directors and Officers liability insurance Educate board in duty of care and duty of loyalty

23. If you found this presentation helpful or have additional questions, please contact me at pgarrahan@xaverianbrothers.org pgarrahan@xaverianbrothers.org Good luck! Sister Pat Garrahan, SND