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Effective Superintendent-School Board Practices
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Effective Superintendent-School Board Practices
Strategies for Developing and Maintaining Good Relationships With Your Board


September 2006 | 152 pages | Corwin
"The authors fill a gap in the literature by providing a practical, experience-based look at how superintendents should approach the most important relationship in their professional lives. Working effectively with school boards is what it is all about, and this book shows you how."
-Paul D. Houston, Executive Director, American Association of School Administrators

"This book provides practical insights and useful ideas to help district leaders who are serious about keeping the educational interest of children first among their priorities."
-Pedro A. Noguera, Professor, New York University

"Clearly lays out the important role the superintendent has in leading the district in partnership with the board of education. This book is well worth the time of every current and aspiring superintendent and school board member!"
-Anne Bryant, Executive Director, National School Boards Association

"This book is a useful tool in building district governance teams. The authors' collective wisdom provides valuable insight for superintendents and school board members."
-Luan B. Rivera, President, California State Boards Association

"A wonderful, clear, and jargon-free primer on how to be a successful superintendent. This book is must reading for superintendents and a real plus for school boards."
-Dede Alpert, Former California State Senator, Former Member, California State Assembly

"An outstanding fieldbook for those interested in down-to-earth strategies for navigating the complexities of providing leadership in school districts."
-General Davie, Jr., Retired Superintendent of Schools

Foster a strong superintendent-school board relationship centered on quality teaching and learning!

Effective Superintendent-School Board Practices helps current and future superintendents and school board members develop an effective governance team that prioritizes quality teaching and learning.

Designed for practicing and aspiring superintendents and school board members, this exceptional book relates the everyday experiences and challenges faced by this important district team. Combining 84 years of service as superintendents in urban, rural, and suburban school districts, the authors offer:

  • Real-life vignettes that highlight problems, successes, key points, and useful practices
  • Indispensable information on building relationships, creating a team, managing conflict, and staying focused on the mission and priorities of the district
  • Reflective practice questions and self-assessments throughout

This rich resource offers knowledge, skills, and strategies to teach and inspire current and future leaders, based on the experiences of practitioners who have learned what works and what doesn't, leaving valuable time to focus on student achievement.


 
Introduction
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Dedication
 
1. Building Relationships
The First Step

 
Understanding Each Board Member?s Interests and Goals

 
Adapting Communication Methods

 
Another Election, Another Challenge

 
Political Fine-Tuning

 
The Hidden Job Description

 
The Board Member Who Wants to Be Governor

 
Honoring Past Board Member Accomplishments

 
Relationship Building Never Ends

 
Chapter Summary

 
 
2. Creating a Team
Board-Superintendent Protocols

 
Use Planned Priorities as a Key Communication Strategy

 
Board Communicator

 
May I Ask That?

 
Preparing the Board for an Upcoming, Difficult Decision

 
When Is a Civility Policy Necessary?

 
Board Meeting Follow-Up

 
When Board Members Know Their Roles

 
A Facilitated Superintendent Evaluation Process

 
Board Self-Evaluation

 
Recognize Board Member Accomplishments

 
Chapter Summary

 
 
3. Staying Focused
Keeping the Mission, Philosophy, and Priorities in the Forefront

 
Taking the Plan to Others

 
Updating Your Strategic Plan

 
Monitoring Progress of District Goal Attainment

 
Working for Board Consensus

 
Maintaining Board Policies

 
Budget as a Decision-Making Tool

 
Chapter Summary

 
 
4. Managing Conflict
Who Is Really in Charge?

 
No Surprises

 
You Heard What at the Party?

 
All Internal Communication Is Not Internal

 
Responding to a Violation of Board Protocol

 
The Rebel Board Member

 
Chapter Summary

 
 
5. Moving On and Succession Planning
When to Leave

 
Learning About a New District

 
Knowing When to Retire

 
Saying Good-Bye

 
Making the Transition

 
Selecting a New Superintendent

 
Working as an Interim Superintendent

 
Chapter Summary

 
 
Resource A: Board-Superintendent Protocols for Effective Governance
 
Resource B: Planned Priorities
 
Resource C: Civility Policy
 
Resource D: Mission Statement and District Goals
 
Resource E: Strategic Plan
 
Resource F: Superintendent?s Evaluation Process
 
Resource G: School District Budget Development Calendar
 
Resource H: Budget Guidelines for Boards and Staff
 
Resource I: School District Responsibility Chart
 
References
 
Index

"...clearly lays out the important role the superintendent has in leading the district in partnership with the board of education. This book is loaded with practical tips and pearls of wisdom. It is an easy read with loads of good examples...well worth the time of every current and aspiring superintendent and school board member!"

Anne Bryant
Executive Director, National School Boards Association

"The success of a school district is determined at least in part by the ability of the school board and superintendent to develop a constructive working relationship. This book provides practical insights and useful ideas that will prove to be helpful to district leaders who are serious about keeping the educational interest of children first among their priorities."

Pedro A. Noguera, Professor
New York University

"The authors of Effective Superintendent-School Board Practices have filled a gap in the literature by providing a practical, experience-based look at how superintendents should approach the most important relationship in their professional lives. Working effectively with school boards is what it is all about and this book shows you how."

Paul D. Houston, Executive Director
American Association of School Administrators

"A wonderful, clear, and jargon-free primer on how to be a successful superintendent. Not only is this book must reading for anyone who aspires to be a superintendent, it would be a real plus for school boards. As a former school board member myself, I would have benefited from having a better understanding of the myriad challenges facing the superintendent."

Dede Alpert, Former California State Senator
Former Member, California State Assembly

"This book is a must 'read-and-keep' for students interested in the superintendency as well as new and mature superintendents. An outstanding fieldbook for those interested in down-to-earth strategies needed to navigate the complexities of providing leadership in school districts."

General Davie, Jr.
Retired Superintendent of Schools

"This book is a very useful tool in building school district governance teams. The collective wisdom of the authors will provide valuable insight to superintendents and school board members alike as they strive to provide a high-quality education for all of the children in their districts."

Luan B. Rivera, President
California State Boards Association

"An easy-to-read guide that can be referred to again and again by current and aspiring superintendents and board members."

The School Administrator, September 2007
Key features

-          Illustrative vignettes of effective and ineffective superintendent-school board relationships

-          Reflective practice questions and self-assessments included throughout

-          Examples from urban, rural, and suburban districts

-          Designed for practicing and aspiring superintendents and school boards

-          Relates to the every day experiences and challenges faced by this team

Sample Materials & Chapters

Introduction

Chapter 1


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