Governing Style 4.1
(Page 1 of 2)
The Board will govern with emphasis on school district vision and
results for students, encourage diversity of viewpoints, focus on strategic
leadership rather than administrative detail, observe clear distinction between
Board and superintendent roles, make collective rather than individual
decisions, exhibit future orientation rather than past or present, and govern
proactively rather than reactively.
Accordingly:
1)
The Board will
cultivate a sense of group responsibility. The Board will work in partnership
with the Superintendent, staff, students, parents and the community. The Board,
not the Superintendent or staff, will be responsible for excellence in
governing. The Board will use the expertise of individual Board members to
enhance the ability of the Board as a body, but will not substitute individual
judgments for the Board’s collective values.
2)
The Board will
hold itself accountable for continual governance excellence. This
self-discipline will apply to attendance, preparation for meetings,
policymaking principles, respect of roles, and ensuring the long-term capacity
for excellent governance for the organization. To ensure that the board’s
business meetings are conducted with maximum effectiveness and efficiency,
members will:
a.
Come to
meetings adequately prepared.
b.
Speak only
when recognized.
c.
Not interrupt
each other; hear people out.
d.
Not engage in
side conversations.
e.
Not repeat
what has already been said; e.g. build on prior statements.
f.
Not “play to
the audience” or monopolize the discussion.
g.
Support the
Board Chair’s efforts to facilitate an orderly meeting.
h.
Communicate
openly and actively in discussion and dialog to avoid surprises.
i.
Value equal
participation of all members.
j.
Practice
respectful body language.
3) The Board will direct, control, and inspire
the district through the careful establishment of written policies reflecting
the Board’s values and perspectives.
The Board’s major policy focus will be on the intended long-term
benefits for students, not on the administrative or programmatic means of
attaining those benefits.
Accordingly, members will not:
a.
Assume responsibility for resolving operational problems or complaints, or
b.
Give personal direction to any part of the operational organization.
4)
Since the
Board understands the importance of continuous development, each member will
commit to attending one or more conference per year related to Board matters.
5)
The Board will
allow no officer, individual, or committee of the Board to hinder or be an
excuse for not fulfilling its commitments.
Governing Style 4.1
(Page 2 of 2)
6)
The Board will monitor its process and performance
quarterly. Self-monitoring will include
comparison of Board activity and discipline to policies in the Governance
Process and Board-Superintendent Relationship categories.
7)
In
order to facilitate the functioning of future boards, the active Board will
inform candidates about its governing practices during the three months prior
to the spring election using open meetings with the candidates and providing
resource materials for their review.
Date
Adopted: July 1, 2007