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A Practical Guide to Effective School Board Meetings

By: Rene S. Townsend, James R. Brown, Walter L. Buster

Foreword by Michael Kirst

If board meetings are something you simply "get through" so you can get on with your "real" work, this book is a must.

As superintendent, now you can turn board meetings into productive, results-getting events that help you focus on teaching and learning to achieve your district's goals with the support of this realistic, detailed, and entertaining book. The authors, having chaired over 1,000 board meetings between them, discuss:

Creating role clarity and building the superintendent-based team to increase effectiveness and support positive working relationships
Developing general operating procedures
Carrying out effective board meetings
Critical aspects of the meeting itself, as well as tips on conducting closed sessions
Post-meeting follow-up

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Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12
ISBN: 9781412913294
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2005
Page Count: 200
Publication date: March 03, 2005

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Description

If board meetings are something you simply "get through" so you can get on with your "real" work, this book is a must.

As superintendent, and with the support of this realistic, detailed, and entertaining book,you can now turn board meetings into productive, results-getting events that help you focus on teaching, learning, and achieving your district's goals.The authors, having chaired over 1,000 board meetings amongthem, discuss:

Creating role clarity and building the superintendent-based team to increase effectiveness and support positive working relationships
Developing general operating procedures that work
Carrying out effective board meetings
Critical aspects of the meeting itself, as well as tips on conducting closed sessions
Post-meeting follow-up and how these activities affect and influence the culture of the district

Superintendents, board members, leadership staff, and community members will find this guide invaluable for creating effective and meaningful board meetings.

Key features

Unique focus - one of the only books on effective school board meetings (two others dated and out of print) Hands-on applicability for superintendents
Includes sample board meeting agendas, board packet cover pages, board agenda items, flow charts, and preparation activities

Author(s)

Rene S. Townsend

Rene Townsend, former superintendent for ten years, is executive director of the Urban Education Dialog (UED) and Public School Services (PSS), nonprofit organizations founded by Price Charities. PSS has a mission of reducing the price of goods and services to all public school districts; UED is a forum to confront challenges facing urban school districts and exchange best practices. With seven other superintendents, Townsend coauthored Eight at the Top; they are working on book two, offering more leadership insights for superintendents. Townsend received her bachelor of science from the University of Washington, her master's from San Diego State University, and her doctorate from Northern Arizona University. She serves on the national boards of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR).

James R. Brown

James R. Brown was a superintendent for twenty-six years, preceded by various administrative positions and his first love, teaching history. While serving as superintendent, he chaired two major task forces, the California State Mathematics and the California High School Exit Exam. Jim is Deputy Executive Director of the Bay Area School Reform Collaborative (BASRC), and he serves on three community and education boards. Jim received his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, his masters from the University of Kansas, and did graduate work in Education Administration at the University of Riverside. He is the recipient of a number of awards, including California State Superintendent of the Year in 1999, and the Marcus Foster Award in 2004. He has also served as President of the Suburban School Superintendents national group. Jim and his wife, Kathe, a librarian, have three grown sons.

Walter L. Buster

Dr. Walter L. Buster is a professor of leadership at Fresno State University and a creator of the Central Valley Educational Leadership Forum. In addition to his service as a superintendent for nineteen years in three California districts, Walt was a teacher at the elementary and secondary levels, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. Recently Walt stepped forward to serve as interim superintendent of the Fresno Unified School District, calming the district in a time of political and financial turmoil. Walt’s other leadership activities include leading the Executive Leadership Academy and the Association of California School Administrators Academy. He serves on the national education advisory boards for IBM and Microsoft, and is on the board of WestEd. His bachelor’s degree is from Westmont College, his masters from Chapman College, and his doctorate from the University of Montana. Walt and his wife, Susan, an artist, have two children and one grandchild.

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Part I. The Leadership Challenge

1. Focusing on Teaching and Learning

2. Building the Superintendent-Board Team

Part II. Pre-Meeting Planning

3. Planning the Calendar and Agenda

4. Preparing: Sweat the Small Stuff

5. Designing the Board Packet

6. Communicating the Agenda

Part III. Meeting Time

7. Conducting the Board Meeting

8. Meeting Behind Closed Doors

Part IV. Post-Meeting

9. Following Up

10. Recovering

11. Wrapping Up

Resource A: Board-Superintendent Protocols (Sample)

Resource B: Twelve-Month Calendar (Sample)

Resource C: Board Agenda Development Worksheet (Sample)

Resource D: Individual Agenda Item (Sample)

Resource E: Welcome to the Board Meeting (Sample)

Resource F: Request to Speak Cards (Samples)

References

Index

Reviews

"This practical guide supports the design and conduct of board meetings in ways that focus the management of the district on its teaching and learning mission. The authors identify collaborative strategies and workable solutions for dealing with difficult and challenging circumstances."

The School Administrator
February 2006