Eight Great Tips for Effective School Boards
Most schools have some form of shared governance to assist school leaders with the complex responsibility of leading their respective school communities. Boards can provide valuable expertise and counsel in matters of mission statement, financial development, and strategic planning. Below are eight principles of effective boards.

1. Preparation

Most board activity takes place at meetings. A productive meeting includes an agenda with prepared reports that give focus to the meeting and direction to members. Board members need to know their time is a valued and advice appreciated. The agenda must based on issues/ activities within the jurisdiction of the board/council's domain.

2. Role Clarity

Refer to the board charter or constitution to determine its proper role. Most school boards are advisory, not legislative. This advisory role should focus on several key areas including: creation of a strategic plan, the review of finances, development of long term development plan, and the recommendation of policies and programs that serve to fulfill the mission of the school.

3. Leadership

Boards need direction. It is the responsibility of administration to provide these “volunteer experts” with appropriate board pre and in-service to inform them of their roles and responsibilities.

4. Follow-through

A common problem for many boards is the failure to follow-through. This typically occurs when recommended actions lack the following: What are the next steps? When will they occur? Who is responsible for implementation?

5. Realism

Board members are typically very busy people with many demands on their time. Board leadership is wise to begin each year with realistic annual objectives for the board that is considerate of the volunteer nature and time limits of board members. Resist the temptation to try to do too much. It is far better to finish a few worthwhile projects than to experience the letdown that comes from unmet goals.

6. Swim Together

The board and administration must swim together if they are to be effective. Fundamental is decision-making by consensus. Consensus decision making means keeping the conversation focused on the issue and engaging each person do she/he understands the consequences of the proposed decision. The chair of the meeting must respect all opinions and facilitate mutual acceptance of the final outcome.

7. Develop Your Board

Pre-service new members so that they have the necessary skills to participate effectively. At the beginning of each academic year an extended period of time should be devoted for the renewal of purpose of the board and its goals for the year. There should be a new member orientation process. New members should be given a grace period before thy are given any “heavy assignments.”

8. Return to Mission

Have you heard the expression: “He climbed the ladder of success only to find it was leaning against the wrong wall?” Put another way unless your plan of action is based on your mission you may end up at the wrong place. All decision-making should be mission-driven. Whether recommending policy, setting goals and objectives or developing a financial plan, board and council members need to return to the mission statement for direction. Policy and action planning must be in concert with the mission.

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