Protecting That Healthy Board Now in Place

BOARD-SAVVY SUPERINTENDENT

I recently read an interesting fact that superintendents who have an effective, cooperative board of education can expect an average job tenure of 10 years or more compared to two years or less if the board is dysfunctional.

If you’ve worked hard to build a trusting, professional relationship with your school board, how are you going to keep things going in a positive direction?

Treat your board members like leaders.

On more than one occasion, superintendents have told me, “I have a great board! They stay out of my way and let me do what I want.” Frankly, that is not a characteristic of a successful governance board. A compliant board may not get in your way, but they also don’t add value to the schools.