Washington State School Directors' Association

Serving Washington State's
1,477 Locally Elected
School Board Members

WSSDA
221 College St. NE
Olympia WA 98516
Location Map
Tel: 360/493-9231
Fax: 360/493-9247
E-Mail:
mail@wssda.org
Martharose Laffey
Executive Director
Sue Brand
Webmaster
Staff Directory
Office Hours:
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Pacific Time)
Monday thru Friday
 
Serving on Your Local School Board: A Guide for Candidates

Being an effective school board member

Each school board member brings his or her own style of leadership to school board service. While there is no "ideal" working style, there are certain basic characteristics that contribute to successful school board service. Effective school board members:

  • Have a sincere interest in public education and a commitment to improving student learning
  • Know and understand the important contribution of public education to our democratic society
  • Are forward thinking and bring creative solutions and approaches to education
  • Bring a broad base of knowledge and experience
  • Understand that education is complex
  • Are respected and involved in their communities
  • Listen and consider opposing views before making decisions
  • Are willing to invest the many hours necessary to meet the responsibilities of board service
  • Serve unselfishly to benefit the whole community
  • Respect associates and the group decisions of the board
  • Understand their authority and responsibility
  • Honor and respect diverse cultures, abilities, learning styles and human needs
  • Engage in professional development programs to expand knowledge of education and strengthen governance and leadership skills
  • Are strong advocates for the education of all children in the state

ALSO AVAILABLE:

WSSDA Manual: Serving on Your Local School Board (PDF)

PowerPoint Presentation used at Candidate Workshops

 Copyright © 2008 Washington State School Directors' Association
221 College St. NE • Olympia, WA 98512 • 360/493-9231

 

How to become a school director
What does a school director
 do?
Being an effective school board member
About WSSDA
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