Dear Independent School Board Members,

When agreeing to serve on your school’s board, you wanted to be an asset to the school and its students, present and future. To help you achieve that goal, SAIS has created a monthly series of short tips on how to be a more effective board member.

Beginning the School Year

The school year is underway. Good news: It is not your job to ensure a smooth opening! That’s the head’s job. It is your job to be aware of the three basic responsibilities of an independent school board:

1. Understand the school’s financial situation
2. Review the current strategic initiatives
3. Support the head of school

Understand the Finances

• Inspect the financials to ensure the school has the appropriate resources to be successful this year and in the next few years. Ensure last year’s revenue and expense projections were relatively close to actuals.
• If you are one of the many board members who are intimidated by financial reports, ask the board treasurer, head of school, or the schools chief financial officer to review them with you. They will be glad you asked.

Review the Strategy

• Review the school’s strategic plan. If the school does not have a strategic plan, ascertain how it is crafting its strategic goals.
• Understand the progress the school is making in accomplishing its strategic goals and how it is tracking that progress.
• Figure out the role you play in helping the school achieve its strategic initiatives.

Support the Head

• Tell the head you appreciate their work and the school in general.
• Always support the head and the school in public.
• Be prepared and willing to do the work of the board.

Coming up: The next issue will explore the head/board relationship.

Subscribe! If this was forwarded to you and you would like to be added to the distribution list, you may do so here.

Trustee Resources

Articles, samples, and information pertaining to the head of school evaluation here

Four Steps to Help Your School Make Stronger Strategic Decisions here

Govern and Support: Two Frames to Redefine the Head/Board Partnership here

Trustee Events

The trustee webinar series kicks off tomorrow. Sign up with your head and fellow board members for six sessions on need-to-know trustee topics: Aug 22, Sept 26, Nov 1, Jan 23, Feb 20, April 18. 5-6 PM Eastern.

The Board/Head Workshop on Oct 22 in Atlanta will focus on optimizing partnership, communicating clearly, and creating trust in the face of complex challenges.