Describes a hypothetical situation (a year-long planning process involving a superintendent, school board, and community) intended to remind administrators of the key elements in facilities planning that are inherent in their roles as educational leaders. (SR)

Traces the role of a school board member through the stages of candidate, new member, experienced member, and leader. Outlines how board members show their effectiveness in different ways at these stages. (MLF)

It is the policy of the Washington State Board for Community College Education that the responsibility for resolving local disputes should rest with the college board of trustees and that the State Board should monitor, but not directly participate in the process of dispute resolution. However, state legislation has empowered the State Board with…

Education reform is taking a silent toll on school boards, says the president of the American Federation of Teachers. Cites laws in a number of states that weaken school boards' authority. Advocates a national debate about problems with school boards before changing the organizational structure. (MLF)

If boards of education in rural areas are going to strengthen education, they need to achieve empowering leadership through written policies that create a clarity of vision, empower subordinates, and emphasize renewal. Empowering leadership allows linkages among stakeholders of education and encourages creative efforts toward improving the…

This handbook offers observations from the superintendent's viewpoint about the evaluation responsibilities of school board members and school boards. The handbook describes important features of the evaluation role of school boards and offers a detailed description of what the board should evaluate within the context of the districts--who the…

Members of local boards of education should expect to spend around twenty hours a month on normal board activities, including about nine hours in meetings, four hours preparing for meetings, four hours in reflective thinking, and three hours dealing directly with schools and school patrons. Among topics that must be addressed carefully and…

Defining "power" as political action, the author offers some thoughts designed to disabuse school board members of the notion that power is all bad. (Author/JM)

In recent years, school board recall elections seem to be occurring with greater frequency. Board members from around the country describe their experiences with recall elections, discuss the possible reasons, and cite the personal and community costs. Offers survival tips from individuals who have been through the recall experience. (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)

School board members have a desire to be on top of the issues, except in communicating with the community. Board members can discuss with the community school policies that define values. (MLF)

Policy statements give a framework to decision-making power, clarify issues, regulate relationships, and assist in the resolution of differences of opinion. It is essential that a school board provide direction through a well-conceived and well-developed policy. If there is unwillingness to implement policy, a real or perceived vacuum is created…

The question of who develops and adopts the rules and regulations to implement educational policies is at the center of the role controversy between boards of education and superintendents. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the demarcations between policy-making and administrative roles. Certain assumptions about board and superintendent…

According to this paper, all parties in educational management--central office and building administrators, supervisory and curriculum personnel, as well as the board--should participate fully in the business of managing a school district. But before enacting a new policy, an enlightened board will consider the impact that the policy could have on…

Addresses public criticism aimed at school boards' failure to provide educational leadership, create long-range plans and wise policies, study curricula, and cultivate ties with other government agencies. Instead of abolishing school boards, the public should restore boards' eroding authority to carry out their increasing responsibilities. (MLH)