 |
|
What does a school director do?
School board
members – school directors – are the "governors" of the
school district who work in partnership with their administrative team
to set the district’s direction. The school board’s governance
responsibilities fall in four major areas:
- Vision
– The board focuses the work of the district and community on
student achievement through a comprehensive strategic planning
process.
- Structure
– The board governs the district through prudent financial
planning and oversight, and diligent and innovative policy making.
- Accountability
– The board infuses all programs and crucial policies with
specific goals and a process for evaluation, reporting and
recommendations for improvements.
- Advocacy
– The board champions public education in the local community and
before state and federal policy makers.
There is a
definite line between governing the district and administering its daily
activities. While boards are ultimately responsible, they employ a
professional staff of administrators (led by a superintendent) to manage
the day-to-day functions in the school district.
As the governors
of the district, school boards work with their administrators to make
decisions and set policy regarding a number of matters, including bond
and levy elections, budget adoption, facilities, curriculum adoption,
fiscal planning and oversight, employee relations, and transportation.
Cooperation is the
key to successful school board governance. Each board member works with
the other members of the board and in partnership with the
superintendent, who carries out the board’s vision and direction.
Decision-making authority is vested in the school board as a whole –
individual proposals are adopted only when a majority of the board
approves them.
|
|
<< Introduction |
Being an
effective school director >> |
|
|
 Resources
|
|
Video: WSSDA School Board Candidate Workshop
(Streaming video from TVW,
the state's public affairs network)
|
|
Candidates' Guide to Serving on
Your Local School Board
(PDF – 2-Page Color Handout)
|
|
Candidates' Guide to Serving on
Your Local School Board
(PDF – 2-Page Black & White
Handout)
|
|
Serving on Your Local School Board:
A Guide to Effective Leadership
(PDF – 52-Page Manual)
|
|
Serving on Your Local School Board Slide Presentation
(PDF/PowerPoint – 47 slides)
|
|
Washington School Board Standards
|
|
About WSSDA
|
