School districts are both big businesses and a form of local governance that is part of American democracy. When a crisis makes a district's democratic face relevant, the organization will experience a dilemma that does not occur in business-only organizations. This study examines the public meetings of a school board in the western United States…

Learning the difference between board leaders and members who come to meetings just to vote is an important step toward leadership. Another way is to gauge one's fit on a hierarchy of leadership potential. Provides 13 questions to guide reflections on interactions with the other board members. (MLF)

Provides a set of 10 rules, with some explanations of how and why they work, that a school district uses in school board hearings. The rules help each side organize its case, save time and embarrassment, and ensure a fair hearing for everyone. (MLF)

Discusses the changes in governance operations, the annual review procedure, and the relationship between teachers and administrators required for a board of education to implement educational reforms. Offers suggestions to school boards to prevent many of the problems associated with administrative change. (FMW)

The Washington School Board Standards are intended for use by local school boards and individual directors as a common framework for school board governance. Two sets of standards were developed to encourage school boards and individual school directors to subscribe to the highest levels of professional and personal conduct and performance. The…

To have an efficiently functioning school district, the roles of the school board and the administration must be clearly delineated, so that the school board formulates school policy while the superintendent implements it. To avoid dissention over their respective spheres of authority, it is best for a superintendent to establish two-way…

Since 1974, New Jersey board of education members' responsibilities have increased in direct proportion to major legislative actions and mandates affecting the state's public schools. This revised pamphlet was written to help new board members carry out their responsibilities. The first chapter outlines board members' authority as elected state…

Offers examples of four common mistakes school boards make when dealing with the press. Suggests 10 specific steps for building a strong working relationship with members of the press. (IW)

Reviews the importance, role, and responsibilities of boards of education for newly elected board members. Emphasizes communication between the community and the board and school administrators and the board. Outlines the qualities of successful board members. (FMW)

School boards should recognize that school administrators steer away from boards that (1) are consistently divided, (2) do not respect confidentiality, (3) are close-minded, and (4) do not adhere to the line between setting school policy and administering policy. (MLF)

New school board members can prepare themselves to be effective board members by studying board policies, minutes of past board meetings, and contracts of each employee group; by asking questions; and by learning the legal responsibilities of the board. (MLF

The public image of a school board can be enhanced if it handles business in a manner that inspires confidence. Seven suggestions are presented on topics such as location of meetings, procedures, agenda, handling audience comments, establishing priorities, handling complaints, and superintendent support. (TE)

Contrasts New York City community school boards with other New York State school boards. Discusses the special relationship and shared responsibilities between the community boards and the New York City Board of Education and the Chancellor of the New York City school system, and the rules governing board members. (FMW)

The school board of the Maine Township High School District in Cook County, Illinois, negotiated a collective bargaining agreement with the local teachers' association independently of the teachers' employment contract. The board's negotiating team consists of five persons: three board members experienced in negotiations, of whom one is the…

Collaborative teamwork between school board members and administrators in a rural Oregon community concerning negotiations has been positive. Under the new system, the teacher-versus-administrator conflict has been reduced; board members became involved in all the districts' committees; and the time spent on negotiations has been cut in half. (MLF)