KASB has been hosting new
board leadership workshops this week. New
board presidents and vice-presidents have been learning about the important
role they play in conducting a highly focused and productive board meeting. Many great questions related to procedures and operating principles have been shared and discussed.
Most of the questions evolve around these simple guidelines so we thought it would be appropriate to share with all board members to provide a quick refresher.
GUIDELINES TO ASSIST BOARD GOVERNANCE
- Analyze your board agenda
items.
- Consent agenda for routine
items?
- Notation for each item with
expectations and recommendations from the
Superintendent?
- Is there a place for public
comment on the agenda?
- Do you start the meeting on
time?
- Is it evident that all board
members are prepared? Board packets are
opened and read before the meeting.
- Is there a high trust level with
employees? Use administrative/staff
reports as an opportunity to ask questions and become more informed; treating
all of employees as professionals.
- How would an outsider rate
the performance (behavior) of the board?
- Are there agenda items that
should be handled administratively? Is
the board micromanaging?
- Is the president running the
meeting effectively? Is the board focused on the district vision and mission?
- Are you prepared for conflict
that may surface? There could be a
“surprise”.
- Are there items that surface
under “hidden agendas”? Another “surprise”?
- Do you clearly identify time
limits to groups making presentations?
- Do board members ask
questions in the meeting that should have been addressed prior to the meeting?
- Do all members feel they are
valued and contributing to the board?
