School Board Roles and
Responsibilities
Four Roles of a
Board Member
VISION - creating a shared vision
STRUCTURE - Applying the vision
ACCOUNTABILITYMeasuring and communicating the vision
ADVOCACY- championing the vision
Vision
The board…..
• Adopts the district’s strategic plan which
includes goals
• Establishes benchmarks to monitor
progress on the strategic plan
• Receives regular status reports on the
progress of the plan
Structure
Board/Superintendent relations
• Board is responsible for recruiting,
hiring and evaluating the performance
of the superintendent
• Compatibility between the
superintendent and the board’s vision
for the district is critical
Structure
Board/Superintendent relations
• The superintendent, as chief executive
officer of the school district, “runs the
district”
• The superintendent hires the staff with
the approval of the board
Structure
The Board…
• Exercises daily supervision and control
primarily through the superintendent
• Does not usually deal directly with
individual staff members
• Speaks with one voice to the
superintendent and communicates as a
whole through the board meeting
Structure
The Board…
• Adopts clear policies and goals to guide
the staff
• Allows an occasional mistake by the
superintendent.
• Evaluates the superintendent on
implementing the district strategic plan
and increasing student achievement.
Structure
Policy Development
• Policies tell “what to do” without saying
“how” to do it.
• Boards make policy and the
administration carries it out
• Boards evaluate the implementation and
effect of policy through periodic reports
by the administration, etc.
Structure
Financial Resources
Boards establish the budget
based upon the district’s goals
Board Meetings
Ask Yourself:
“What message
does our
school board
meeting send?”
Frame Every Decision
“How will this
affect students
and increase
student
achievement?”
Accountability
The board…
• Establishes student learning as the
highest priority of the board
• Receives regular reports on student
progress and needs
• Tracks the time spent at each meeting on
the discussion of ways to increase
student achievement
Accountability
The board…
• Evaluates the superintendent on the
implementation of the adopted goals and
increasing student achievement
• Holds an annual board self evaluation
• Monitors and rewards student achievement
• Asks questions and takes appropriate
actions concerning the instructional program
Accountability
The board…
• Understands the legal requirements
for education programs
• Communicates financial issues effectively
to the community
• Monitors expenditures throughout
the year
Advocacy
The board……
• Educates the community on educational
issues and the legislative process
• Serves as an advocate for public
education
• Establishes strong relationships with
parents and others to help support
students
Advocacy
The board…
• Participates in the legislative process
• Takes the lead in celebrating the
achievements of students and others in
education.
• Establishes an aggressive public relations
plan
Advocacy
The board…
• Creates partnerships with organizations
that serve children
• Promotes school board service as a
meaningful way to make long-term
contributions to society.
Other Issues
• You have power only when you are
sitting together with the rest of the board
• Follow the chain of command!!
• Treat executive sessions like
a hot oven - get in and get out!
Teamwork
• A successful school board must operate
as a team with clear strategies and goals
• Like any team…you can’t really play until
all players are together
• Once the vote is taken back the majority.
Learn to “disagree agreeably.”
Teamwork
• Standing committees can divide a
board. Be careful of dividing your team.
• Everyone needs to hear the same
information at the same time.
• Remember, information is power.