Good boardsmanship requires good sportsmanship. The three worst offenses against good sportsmanship on school boards are "false starts," or jumping to conclusions on complex issues; "off sides," or meddling unilaterally in school affairs; and "low blows," or the use of a school board position to advance business…

Reviews the history of the Boston School Committee. Suggests the following structural reforms: (1) shift decision-making to local schools and assure access to the decision-making process; (2) shift personnel decisions to the superintendent; and (3) eliminate the assignment of staff members to individual board members and provide service to…

In the last essay of a yearlong series celebrating the hundredth anniversary of "The American School Board Journal," Barbara Bush encourages school boards to reorganize and empower the community around the school. Collaboration between helping agencies should be the goal. (MLF)

Contends that school boards have failed to translate their vision of education to the community. Suggests using up-to-date methods like telemarketing, working with the news media, and televising board meetings. Maintains that boards must find ways to convince the community of the importance of long-term goals for education instead of short-term…

Rural school boards have a unique opportunity to impact education by involving teachers, administrators, and the community in policy development. To make policy an instrument of empowerment, policymakers should consider the following steps: (1) seeking information from any and all groups that the policy will affect to develop a statement about…

The effectiveness of boards of education depends on many factors. Significant among these are maintenance of the board's group identity, proper conduct of meetings, development of community respect through dignified and courteous behavior, establishment of good listening habits by board members, united follow-through on majority decisions, and…

Recent research on the historical and political influences affecting the relationship between local school boards and superintendents is summarized and discussed in this paper. Following a brief summary of the historical development of the superintendency in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the author contrasts the opposing viewpoints of…

This paper, by the Superintendent of Schools in Kansas City, Kansas, addresses several broad issues in urban education. The social, economic, and educational environment in Kansas City, are outlined, and the composition of the Board of Education is described. Criticisms of typical Boards of Education are offered, and possible solutions for…

Based on results of a survey conducted at the 1979 National School Boards Association Convention, this report focuses on the channels, frequency, and topics of communication between board members and their constituents. A total of 759 board members completed the survey instrument. The data presented show that, on the whole, moderate levels of…

School board service can have detrimental effects on members' personal lives. The most frequent and pervasive problems faced by board members are lack of time, loneliness, stress, alienation from community life, abuse, and fatigue. Problem-solving tips are offered. (Author/MLF)

This article by the Rochester Urban League focuses on the need for the Rochester Board of Education to take initiatives to reduce minority group isolation in the school system of Rochester and Monroe County. Reviews recent enrollment and demographic trends, student achievement, current policies to reduce minority isolation, and guidelines…

A survey of Virginia School Board members regarding their attitudes toward collective bargaining in education is reported. (JMF)

This case study traces the evolution of race and schooling issues in Oakland, California and assesses why that school district did not opt to desegregate as seemed likely in the 1960s. (Author/MP)

Working for four years in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, as headmaster of the International School, has increased this administrator's belief in community governance of its schools through an elected legislative body. Lists five questions that can help boards determine issues that they alone should decide, and those that may involve teachers. (MLF)

Claiming that individual school board members act in selfish ways, proposes electing entire school board as a slate. Board would collectively be held responsible for performance of the school system and all of its employees. State legislation would be required to specify how interested groups would select a slate and create a charter, which is the…