Stylistic friction between superintendent and school board underlies much of disharmony that often characterizes these relationships. The most successful matches occur between high corporate-type boards and high task-oriented superintendents or between high familial-type boards and high relationship-type superintendents. Friction reduction or…

A public choice theory of school board member behavior is proposed that makes two contributions to the study of school governance. It provides a theoretical framework for microanalyses of school governance. Furthermore, it has the potential to increase the power to predict behavior and events in school governance. (TJH)

A survey soliciting school board members' and administrators' views on effective and ineffective board behaviors showed that both groups valued board members' ability to distinguish between policy and administration, willingness to ensure policy recommendation opportunities for superintendents, insistence on policies sensitive to broad public…

Details a demographic study of all school board members in West Virginia, focusing on their personal characteristics, motivations, and communication preferences. Given the ever-expanding body of educational research, a knowledge of school board members and the best ways to reach them is invaluable. The data, procedures, and implications of this…

Summarizes a study to determine the qualities sought by school boards when employing superintendents, as perceived by superintendent search consultants. Highly desirable qualities included performance in previous positions, performance during the interview, evidence of leadership and managerial skills, communication skills, and experience and…

In negotiating a superintendent's contract, caution and expert legal counsel are as important for the school board as for the superintendent. Offering a well-rounded package providing both annuities and insurance policies can help boards attract the best superintendent candidates. The most serious negotiation issue for superintendents involves…

To make conflict resolution easier, this article advises board members to determine nature of the conflict and choose an appropriate course of action. Situation might call for quick, decisive action; establishing a discussion date; reaching a temporary consensus; or working with involved parties to reach a positive resolution. Sidebar offers tips…

Reports on popular election results concerning the relationship between the variables of county board member defeat or reelection and county school superintendent reappointment or dismissal in North Carolina. Results show stability in both superintendent reappointment and incumbent board member reelection and do not support prior dissatisfaction…

Two former superintendents reveal what questions to expect when facing a school board in the course of a job search. Questions on board interference, instructional role, and budget development are a good bet. Candidates should shake hands firmly, dress conservatively, be forthright, and watch their demeanor. (MLH)

To become more educated consumers in the burgeoning school-security marketplace, boards should beware sales ploys involving strategic alliances, questionable nonprofit or "research" organizations, free assessments, bargain-basement prices, the widget approach, and gimmicks. Insets debate armed officers on campus and provide a school-security…

Since self-evaluative efforts produce little change, school boards could benefit from evaluation by outside assessors. Such a process could describe the board's involvement in eight important actions identified by the National School Boards Association: vision, standards, assessment, accountability, alignment, learning environment, collaborative…

The National Governors Association, Council of Chief State School Officers, and the National Association of State Boards of Education jointly devised recommendations in 11 areas in order to achieve America's education goals for every student since the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001. These recommendations included giving…

On November 27, 1980, the Minister of Education, under the authority of the Department of Education Act, established a committee of four to inquire into and report on conditions of schools in Northland School Division No. 61 (established in 1960 to provide educational services to areas in remote areas of Northern Alberta serving Treaty Indians or…

Investigates role expectations of school board members making decisions about curriculum and social programs to gain insight. Results from a national sample of 293 school board members indicate that region and school size interact to affect perceptions of community involvement, superintendent recommendations, and responses on all variables. (SLD)

Tracing the development of school library controversies involving book removals, this article examines federal court cases including the Supreme Court's split decision in "Board of Education v. Pico." Outlined is how First Amendment principles have been used in the resolution of these cases. (MD)