Guidelines recommend the development of mutual cooperation between the board of education and its chief administrator, the district school superintendent. Particular attention is given to the role of the board of education in formulating district policy, establishing effective board-community relations, selecting and evaluating the superintendent,…

This study examined a school district before and after its school board changed from appointed status to elected status to determine if there were significant differences in the board's handling of constituent demands. School board minutes were examined and demands were analyzed for a six-month period under the appointed school board, then…

The understanding of the political behavior of school boards can be advanced by conducting factor analysis of the voting records of trustees. While the application of these methods is generally appropriate, differences in subject matter highlight the problem of inferring political theory from numerical data. In this paper, several different…

This booklet is one of a series of reports addressing the most critical issues confronting state boards of education throughout the United States. Each report attempts to present a concise, informative review and analysis of the best and most current information available on one of these critical topics. This booklet focuses on improving…

Two national reports, "Facing the Challenge" and "Governing Public Schools," recommend sweeping changes in the ways school boards are organized and operate. In practice, the state of Kentucky and the city of Chicago, Illinois, have embarked on radical experiments in school governance. Other areas, especially urban school…

The analyst organizes information and directs board discussions concerning fundamental choices and comprehensive alternatives on selected issues. An analyst is an appropriate and timely addition to the governing process--and he can save money. (Author/IRT)

This report presents findings of a 1985 national study of the local school board. Information was gathered from case studies in nine major metropolitan areas, questionnaires administered to over 200 school board chairpersons, and literature on board governance. Chapter 1 offers an overview and questionnaire results. Chapter 2 summarizes major…

This guide to effective school board service is a "how-to" manual for school board members. The objective of the book is to condense the time board members need to become more effective school leaders, but it also contains information and advice intended to be helpful to experienced board members. Consisting of 17 chapters, the book is…

The increasingly politicized environment of schools should be examined in the context of the board of education's legal powers and the politics of education. Historically, the superintendent of schools has dominated policy making, though school boards' influence has been noted in areas such as finance and physical facilities, and in smaller…

Written particularly for organizations establishing or maintaining private Christian educational institutions but applicable in large part to educational organizations of any type, this document cites the reasons for writing a policy manual, lists advantages and disadvantages of establishing written policy, describes procedures for developing a…

This kit discusses written policies basic to student rights and responsibilities, including those based on the constitution and those not. Specific policies should be based on three broad, basic premises: (1) recognition that freedom implies the right to make mistakes as long as these mistakes do not endanger life and property or are not seriously…

A school board's responsibility is to formulate wise educational policy in response to the will of the people. The superintendent should develop and lead a team with high morale toward the achievement of educational objectives that are jointly forged by the board, community representatives, administration, and faculty. (Author/MLF)

Since each situation is unique, no general statement can be validated about which partner in the board-superintendent relationship is dominant. The opportunity now exists for boards and superintendents to work together with mutual respect to improve public education for everyone. (Author/MLF)

The board's and superintendent's task in policy development should be clear: to recognize all members of the education community and to obtain their views before policies are set in concrete. (Author/JM)