Beginning with brief descriptions of the statutory duties of school board presidents and clerks, as well as of boards and administrators in teacher hearing procedures, this handbook is intended to serve as a guide for administrators, local board presidents, clerks, and secretaries in recording board of education meetings. Following chapter 1's…

The organization and responsibilities of trustees of independent schools has changed and increased greatly over the last decade. The first chapter gives a summary of independent school trusteeship that may aid in the orientation of new trustees. The five concepts of trusteeship are discussed: ethos, change, partnership, leadership, and volunteer…

School boards' public relations efforts should be based on honesty and a clear examination of the issues, rather than self-serving generalizations that mask problems. Seven "C's" of public relations are discussed: credibility, context, content, clarity, continuity, channels, and capability of audience. (TE)

The findings from part 3 of the seventh annual American School Board Journal survey of school board members are reported. Board members were asked about policy changes made in the areas of graduation requirements, financial incentives for teachers, and instructional time. (TE)

Lack of privacy, personal attack, and community controversies are among the job-related problems cited by a number of board members. Suggested survival strategies include the following: do your homework, make no promises, learn to deal with the news media, maintain your equilibrium, and do what is best for the children in the long run. (MLF)

Analyzes interviews with 81 Nebraska superintendents who had experienced "critical incidents" in their dealings with school board members. Of the 5 main categories, the most frequently cited were the following: (1) problems with relatives and friends (23 percent); (2) personal agendas (21 percent); and (3) disputes over hiring and firing…

Most school board members and superintendents want to leave a lasting legacy to their district. To do this, they need to acknowledge that large-scale change is complex and takes time and that the system will outlast them. Board members can give their communities the gifts of vision, process, and competence. (MLF)

A school board meeting serves several purposes. It is important that school boards be successful and effective governing bodies. This means becoming more efficient in conducting routine business; improving their ability to reach constructive decisions and to solve problems; making their meetings a source of good will among members, students, and…

School board members can be most effective if they are fully aware of their responsibilities, their political situations, and practical methods for maximizing the impact of their actions. This handbook reviews these elements of success in eight chapters. The first chapter advises the board member on how to determine his or her role in relation to…

This manual is a resource document and guide for school boards to use in recruiting and selecting a superintendent. The material provides a basis to first identify the critical decisions that need to be made and, second, to consider alternatives or options to each of the major decision areas. The following factors are discussed: (1) the board's…

A review is presented of the survival skills every school board member should possess. These fall into two main categories: boardroom manners and the relationship between board members and other groups. Included are eight key constituencies and advice for dealing with each. (TE)

Offers advice to school board members regarding the collective bargaining process. Suggests actions the board can take to develop bargaining guidelines and a labor relations program. Presents a sample conversation between a school board member and a union representative. (IW)

Two Constitutional principles--separation of church and state and freedom of speech--have been placed in conflict by the newly established Equal Access Act (1984). Some ways that school boards have found to deal with the confusion are presented. (MD)

Elected school boards' skeptical eyes can guard against bad management practices and ensure that different voices get heard. Problems with board governance are a product of too little democracy. A democratic reform strategy would make board elections partisan, hold them on the same day as elections for more prominent state or national offices,…

Issue management is the tracking of social change and the forecasting of the effect it will have on a school district. Explains seven requirements in setting up an issue-management program in schools and offers tips on communicating with the community. (MLF)