Discusses three sequential questions boards should reach consensus on before beginning a superintendent search. Questions involve district's position related to education issues deemed important to the community, a new superintendent's personality traits and leadership skills required to address these issues, and whether the board should seek to…

Reviewed all district tobacco policies in New York state, developing a policy rubric to assess five policy components (policy development/oversight/communication, purpose and goals, tobacco-free environment, tobacco use prevention education, and assistance to overcome addiction). School policies were evaluated for compliance with state and federal…

Examines longevity in office of superintendents in 292 school districts, using 1975-99 data from random national sample and all school districts in North Carolina. Finds that superintendent tenure has not changed significantly since 1975-79, averaging 6-7 years over entire period. Longevity is significantly related to such factors as school board…

Using research focused on interpersonal communication theory, exploratory investigation examines school board presidents' perceptions of their district superintendent's interpersonal communication competence in his or her role as chief executive officer to the board of education. Finds, for example, that the superintendent's interpersonal…

Discusses pros and cons of various methods of compensating an attorney or law firm for legal services: Hourly fee; retainer and hourly fee; long-term or annual contract; retainer, fees, and benefits; capped fees; and expenses and reimbursements. Includes brief questionnaire to determine legal services needed and wanted by a school district. (PKP)

Faced with ongoing budget battles, frustrating contract negotiations, and unappreciative parents, many board members are tempted to resign. Fatigue, deteriorating relations among colleagues, and abuse of power by superintendents and other board members are other reasons for resigning. A sidebar offers advice to board members mulling over their…

Examines the Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier Supreme Court decision regarding removal of books from public school classrooms and libraries, analyzes its effect on removal of books from the curriculum for legitimate educational reasons, and discusses a potential conflict between Hazelwood principles and the Establishment Clause of the First…

The key to succeeding in superintendent-board relationships is fitting the school board into a three-part framework of policies, meetings, and goals. Advice is also provided concerning budgeting, becoming acquainted with board members, and handling disagreements. A sidebar classifies board members as builders, shopkeepers, mechanics, cheerleaders,…

Trust is essential to every school board member striving to fulfill responsibilities to the electorate and the school system. Trust should not be blind, but based on experience and informed reasoning. Suggestions for trusting the superintendent, fellow board members, legal counsel, independent auditors, the democratic process, and oneself are…

Although education is eligible for high level philanthropic funding, it receives only $4.5 billion, or 15.5 percent of private contributions. This article presents four steps to help school board members secure their fair share of private funding, including making the commitment, enlarging philanthropic understanding, developing rapport, and…

Presents a blueprint for developing a consistent drug-and-alcohol-use policy that has been used nationwide by school systems to fit their own local circumstances. (MLF)

The National Board for Professional Teaching standards has launched a nationwide effort to professionalize teaching and boost the quality of classroom instruction. Cites school boards' actions in encouraging teachers to seek certification. (MLF)

Although most textbooks teach federal and state political concepts effectively, they do not adequately explain the most popular form of direct democracy--the elected school board. Some boards are including students as nonvoting members; others have made communication a priority. An upstate New York district includes "school boarding" in a…

Niccolo Machiavelli's buddy Louis made a big mistake in his unsuccessful takeover of a neighboring kingdom: not living there. It is better for school executives to live in community where they work than to live somewhere else. Community members have to feel school leaders share their values, traffic problems, and water. Ways to bypass these…

Retired superintendents have the potential to be the best and the worst board members. Although some board members value a former superintendent's background and perspective, many think that retiring superintendents should go right out the door and not look back. Former teachers and superintendents serving on boards often have difficulty shifting…