Effective school boards pursue five key decision points or states of policy development: (1) identify issues; (2) set priorities; (3) analyze and study; (4) take action; and (5) follow through. Boards should think of these stages as both dynamic and interactive. (MLF)

The fundamental job of school board members is to view themselves as moral and cultural leaders and to transform the needs of groups to a higher and more noble framework. Lists the National School Boards Association's statement on the governance role of the local school board. (MLF)

The Clarksville/Montgomery County (Tennessee) Board of Education has created a school-board contract that defines how the members will work together. (MLF)

As superintendent, and with the support of this detailed book, board meetings can now be turned into productive, results-getting events that help one focus on teaching, learning, and achieving district goals. The authors, having chaired over 1,000 board meetings among them, discuss: (1) Creating role clarity and building the superintendent-based…

This guide for state policymakers examines the laws, policies, and programs that states are using to create and sustain high-quality charter school governing boards. In particular, the guide focuses on the two aspects of governing boards that interviews with state administrators revealed are most critical for a board's success: board composition…

This guide provides ways in which school board members can lead their school systems to higher levels of student achievement. The text attempts to help board members by equipping them with comprehensive information about the various components of student achievement. Part 1 analyzes the purposes of education and defines student achievement, and…

Prospective founders of charter schools must gain the approval of a public organization empowered by state law to grant charters. Common examples of chartering entities include state and local boards of education, boards of public universities and community colleges, and specially created charter-school boards. This guide is designed to help…

Research studies have shown that the benefits of student participation in cocurricular activities are substantial. However, many schools reward or punish student achievement and conduct by setting eligibility standards for participation in student activities. In such a system, educators view activities primarily as rewards for good behavior and…

Over 100 former board of education members from Oregon completed a questionnaire originally prepared by the "American School Board Journal" for the purpose of investigating why school board members leave their positions. This document presents the full results of the Oregon survey and also provides a summary of the findings and an…

This paper attempts to examine the school board's role in superintendent evaluation. It begins by quoting several articles on the subject of superintendent evaluation and the superintendent-board relationship. The author recommends four simple questions to ask when formulating and completing an evaluation procedure: What do we want the…

This manual for school board members identifies the basic factors to take into account when dealing with the news media. These factors include knowing what kinds of media offer what kinds of coverage in the school district's local area and how to channel the right information to the media representative who can make the best use of it. Divided…

Discusses the value of using committees to assume responsibility for various areas of school board business. Provides five tips for being a good committee member and five guidelines for heading a committee. Includes discussion on dealing with problem committee members. (MD)

Special attention should be given to performance evaluation, contract renewal, and termination in the language of employment contracts for superintendents. (MD)

Based on interviews with school board attorneys, this article discourages boards from paying an attorney to attend every meeting and encourages them to call a lawyer for problems regarding civil rights, bidding, finance, or policies that affect employees. (JM)

Educators have a responsibility to learn as much as they can about the relationship between nutrition and the teaching/learning process. This article presents a model to help local school boards draw up their own policy statements. (Author/WD)