BoardWise: Governance team members write in
Published: September 1, 2011
BoardWise is a forum for board members and superintendents across the state to share questions about governance and board-superintendent relations. Send your questions to
boardwise@csba.org
.
Dear BoardWise:
I’m a new board member, elected last November. Every time I try to do something in this district, I am told that I have no authority. Is that true? What authority do I have?
Frustrated Trustee
Dear Frustrated Trustee:
Your frustration is not a new one; newly elected board members often experience some confusion about the board’s authority. It’s important to understand that neither California Education Code nor Government Code grants individual school board members any authority at all. Only the full board has authority to act, and only when it convenes at a publicly noticed meeting. It is through board action, usually taken by means of a vote, that the board gives direction to the superintendent.
Your question is really about power. Individual board members exercise power through influence. Effective board members learn that they effect change through persuasive and compelling ideas, so effective communication practices are a board member’s most important skill, including:
- Demonstrating receptivity to different ideas
- Respecting others’ experiences, feelings and beliefs
- Articulating your own ideas effectively
- Connecting your ideas to district beliefs, mission, priorities and relevant data
- Discussing difficult and sensitive issues in a productive and respectful manner
So, if you wish to increase your influence, focus on strengthening your communication skills—a lifelong pursuit.
Good luck to you.
Dear BoardWise:
When I have questions, whom should I ask? I know the superintendent is very busy and I don’t want to bother her. But I also think that sometimes when I ask questions of staff it makes them uncomfortable. What should I do?
Query
Dear Query:
You’re probably right, the superintendent is very busy. The reason that’s true is that superintendents are busy communicating with everyone—including board members. But I would not assume the superintendent is too busy to help you. Superintendents (especially new superintendents) usually want to know about board member questions, and the superintendent is in the best position to direct a board member to the right place to receive an answer.
Communication is among the most important issues that superintendents and boards need to agree on, including how board members get the answers they need. There is no right way. It will depend on several factors, including the communication styles and preferences of the superintendent and board members, the experience and perceptions of the staff, and the amount of information involved.
When CSBA’s governance consultants work with boards and superintendents to develop protocols for board operations, we often deal with this question. We’ve found that communication is more easily established when the board and superintendent agree on some guiding principles.
Clarifying appropriate communication practices is a common and important discussion for boards and superintendents, often at governance study sessions or retreats. The goal is to ensure that board members, the superintendent and staff all have a clear understanding about how communication will be handled. The challenge then is for everyone to follow the agreed-upon procedures.
If the communication process isn’t clear on your board, you may wish to suggest that this would be a good topic for your next governance discussion.
Good luck to you.