a school board needs good hard working people. having actual educators on the board is always a plus in my opinion. typically they are quite experienced in all areas of administration and oversight. but, regardless of the member's education and career background, we want to be sure our school board members are forward thinking and can work together with a focus on what is best for all students.
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Signs of an Effective School Board Member
Here are signs of a school board member focused on moving the school district forward and educating all students to meet high standards:
Signs of an Ineffective School Board Member
- Great school board members have a clear vision for the district.
They set the vision and goals, and measure the success of the district and superintendent against the goals.- Great school board members communicate their actions to the community.
Through public discourse and written reports, great school board members keep the public informed of the district's progress and challenges.- Great school board members work as a team.
They collaborate well with others and are respectful of the other board members and superintendent.- Great school board members adopt a fiscally sound district budget.
They pay attention to finances and regularly monitor the fiscal health of the district.- Great school board members focus on what is best for all students.
They focus on student achievement and implementing policies that will ensure success for all students.- Great school board members advocate at the local, state and national level for public education.
They take advantage of opportunities to communicate the needs of public schools to other levels of government and advocate for strong public schools.
If you notice any of the following signs, it's time to find some new candidates to run for your local board: The school board member continually focuses on one issue or talks aimlessly at meetings.
what makes a great school board member?
- The school board member doesn't conduct him or herself in a respectful, collaborative manner in public.
- The school board member comes to meetings unprepared.
- The school board member "rubber stamps" all the superintendent's proposals without asking hard questions.
- The school board member micromanages rather than focusing attention on district-wide policies.
- The school board member uses his position on the school board as an opportunity to put forth a political agenda with little relevance to student achievement.
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What should I look for in a school board candidate? First of all, you should think about the issues that are important to you in your school district. Are you concerned about student transportation, textbook adoption, funding for extracurricular activities, new curriculum standards and/or construction of new school facilities? What's your hot button? You'll want to find out where the candidates stand on issues that are important to you.
You might also look for the following qualities:
At the heart of it all, members of a district's board of education must believe, unequivocally, in the value of public education. They must be dedicated to serving and teaching all children. They must believe in the democratic process and understand that their role is to act strategically, in line with the interests of the entire school community.
- The ability to work well with a team and support group decisions, along with an understanding that the board sets a climate for the entire district
- A desire to work toward a stronger relationship between the district and the public it serves A keen eye toward serving the needs of all students, regardless of their abilities and backgrounds
- A professional, poised demeanor and respectful, respectable behavior
- Respect for diverse points of view
- Commitment to the time and energy required each week for meetings, phone calls, conversations, visits to schools, and professional development seminars and workshops
- Knowledge about district policies, guidelines, needs, challenges and strengths
how to choose a school board candidate: what every voter should know
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