60 YEARS OF BOARD GOVERNANCE
TOPIC #1: EFFECTIVE SCHOOL BOARDS

Good board governance is something that doesn't go out of style. This Board Governance series, in celebration of WPSBA's 60 year anniversary, takes you back to the basics.

For each topic, we will provide articles, short videos and podcasts as a refresher of best practices. Start the new year off with classic board governance tips!


We're kicking off this series with a wish-list of what's needed for a school board to be productive and results-oriented. An effective school board is committed to the ultimate goal - the success of each student - and must be able to work together to balance competing interests and move the district forward in a positive way.
According to the National School Boards Association, “the school board represents the community’s voice in public education, providing citizen governance and knowledge of the community’s resources and needs”. Beyond providing community input and knowledge to their school communities, school boards also play a key role in the achievement of students in their districts as described in The Governance - Achievement Link
In subsequent emails in WPSBA’s Board Governance series, we will consider several aspects of successful school board governance. A primer on the key aspects of effective school boards is provided in the Eight Characteristics of Effective School Boards.
We all have heard about the current challenges faced by school boards throughout the nation. Michael Casserly, the Strategic Advisor to the Council of Great City Schools, provides a cogent summary of the role of the school board and suggestions for effective BOE governance in a podcast on The State of School Boards.