About the Webinar:
This presentation addressed common problems that can arise in the relationships between school leaders and board members and explored effective ways to address and resolve them. Discussions included reasons why the relationship between the board and the school leader can suffer and offered suggestions on how to improve those relationships.
Developing and Maintaining a Support System: How School Leaders and Board Members Can Work as a Team
Presenter:
- Kathleen Schoenberg, Attorney/Trainer, Kathleen W. Schoenberg Charter School Governance Training
- Christine Mentis, Director of Governance Program, Charter Support Unit
Date/Time: November 20, 2024
Conference: 2024 FL Charter School Conference
View The Recording:
Handouts / Slides:
Download File
Session Summary
This presentation, "Developing and Maintaining a Support System: How School Leaders and Board Members Can Work as a Team," by Kathleen Schoenberg, Christine Mentis, Robert Pondiscio, and Brad Rowe, explores the common problems that can arise between school leaders and board members and offers solutions to address and resolve them. The session begins by identifying frequent issues such as school leaders feeling unsupported or micromanaged by the board and board members feeling that school leaders are overstepping their authority or lacking professional competence.
The presenters emphasize the importance of clear communication and a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities to prevent such problems. They suggest providing new board members with an orientation that covers the school's mission, vision, and expectations for board involvement. Additionally, they recommend having clear job descriptions for all school employees, including board members, to outline expectations and responsibilities.
The presentation also highlights the importance of building trust between school leaders and board members. This includes providing board members with easy access to documents, encouraging open and honest feedback, and fostering a culture of inquiry where questions are welcomed and valued.
The presenters also discuss the importance of ongoing professional development for both school leaders and board members to enhance their skills and knowledge. They suggest incorporating short professional development segments into board meetings to cover topics such as school programs, open government, and public records laws.
The presentation concludes by emphasizing the importance of collaboration, engagement, trust, respect, and flexibility in creating a positive and productive working relationship between school leaders and board members. The presenters stress that a strong, collaborative relationship between the board and the school leader is crucial for the success of the school.