What Aretha Franklin can teach us about school board service |
On Board Online • January 26, 2015
By Linda Hoffman
Area 1 Director
You know when a tune gets stuck in your head? It's called an "earworm," and I've had one for a month: "R, E, S, P, E, C, T" by Aretha Franklin. As I was contemplating writing this column about boardsmanship for On Board, the Queen of Soul was so busy drowning out my thoughts that I decided that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Most of what I know about boardsmanship can be boiled down to Aretha's mantra - R, E, S, P, E, C, T.
R is for Read. To be good board members, we have an ongoing obligation to read the often voluminous information that we receive in our board packets. Digesting and thinking about these reports and memos well before the meeting gives us time to ask questions and seek out more information. Keep in mind that it's bad form to embarrass your staff by surprising them during board meetings with questions that they aren't prepared to answer. It's much better to read ahead and let the superintendent or board president know before the meeting what supplementary information you think would be helpful to the board. It's not just good form to do this; it's our (can you see the R word coming?) responsibility.
E is for Education. No matter how long you have been a board member, there is always more to learn about education. We must continually educate ourselves so that we understand the issues before we explain them to members of our community. Fortunately, we have a steady flow of information from NYSSBA through On Board, e-clips, workshops, and webinars. And the staff is always willing to answer individual board members' questions on education law, what's happening in Albany and how to handle a governance or public relations issue. But keeping up with education definitely involves another E word: effort.
S is for Students. It bears repeating that our students are what it is all about. Does your community see you supporting students? Attending concerts, plays, art shows, sports meets, and PTA/PTO meetings are great ways to show your support. Set the tone of your board meeting by beginning with a presentation from your students. It doesn't have to be a long or complicated presentation, but it will surely start your meeting with another S word, smile.
P is for Politics. All politics may be local but our schools are subject to laws made at the federal, state and local levels, not only about education, but also health, transportation, civil rights, etc. There are regulations from all of those levels that come on top of the laws. Local control is eroded, or at least threatened, every year. That's why, if you really care about public education, you must involve yourself in advocacy. Our legislators and the Board of Regents need to hear our voices and the voices of our community members. We need to be another P word: persuasive.
E is for Evaluation. Certainly we are all concerned about the Annual Professional Performance Review process for our professional staff, but I'm talking about self-evaluation. How do we know if we are doing a good job as board members? Again, NYSSBA is a great resource. If your board wants some help in this area, NYSSBA staff can provide evaluation instruments and visit your district to provide a custom board retreat. A board that works together collegially and has a good relationship with the superintendent is much more likely to achieve another E word: excellence.
C is for Collegiality. My mom always told me that being friendly was the best way to get people to want to work with you. I think she was right. So, when I get to my meetings I go around greeting everyone. "Hey, how are you? What's going on? How's the spouse, kids, pets, job, etc.?" A little bit of small talk - social grease, if you will - helps build a collegial, respectful atmosphere. It's much better than isolating yourself by burying yourself in your computer screen or studying your smartphone. You don't have to be BFFs with your fellow board members, but you should keep it - another C word - cordial.
T is for Trust. There is nothing more precious to your board than the trust of the public. That's why we have to be active listeners and follow a well-defined process in decision-making. The other T word to remember in boardsmanship is transparency.
Practicing RESPECT will breed respect. A board that acts respectfully will be respected by the students, staff and community. And that makes real progress possible.
Aretha, how'd I do? Whew, I think she must approve because she has stopped singing inside my head. Maybe now she's singing in yours!