60 YEARS OF BOARD GOVERNANCE
TOPIC #2: TEAM DYNAMICS
It's important that all board members understand that the board governs as a team, where the majority vote of the board determines the direction of the school district. Even though each board member is elected on their individual merits, the board group needs to come together and ensure that the board team is best serving the students of the school district.
The critical role of “governance readiness” in preparing the board team to take responsibility for the strategic direction, operational guidance and accountability of the school district reminds us of the need for board operating protocols and the conscious development of an effective team dynamic. Governance readiness is portrayed as the key element supporting the necessary juggling of the other three “balls” of board responsibilities in the Four ‘Big Ideas’ of Board Governance in NSBA’s American School Board Journal.
Board teams are made up of individuals who are elected at different times and for various reasons by their communities. As each individual affects the makeup of the team, take a moment to consider what you can contribute as an individual to board performance as you try to answer The 9 Questions all school board members should ask themselves.
Professional development for boards of education are often structured around board retreats that can provide valuable opportunities for school board members and superintendents to improve the teamwork and communication of the governance team. In the following articles, the Michigan Association of School Boards comments on the Value of Board Retreats, and the NYS Association of School Attorneys clarifies the Open Meetings Law implications of board retreats in What’s the Difference Between a Board Retreat and a Meeting that Must be Open? 


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.

Click below for any part of this series that you missed:
  1. Effective School Boards