What makes a good school board member?
School boards are a team of community representatives working together to improve local public education. But each board member has their own role in helping the board meet its goals for student success.
So, what makes a good school board member? It's about having qualities that drive both the board and district forward. Effective school board members have certain key qualities but also work hard to understand their role, continue their own development and training, and leverage technology for governance, growth and achievement.
Qualities of a good school board member
Being a school board member is no small task. It's about making decisions that affect students, teachers and the community. Here’s what makes someone truly excel in this role:
Passion for education
First things first: you’ve got to care about education. This means being invested in students’ futures and wanting to make schools the best they can be.
Clear communication
You need to speak plainly and listen actively. Being able to explain your ideas simply and hear others’ viewpoints is crucial. No jargon, just straightforward talk.
Integrity and honesty
Being honest isn’t optional; it’s essential. You’ll face tough choices, and integrity is what will guide you. People might not always agree with you, but they’ll respect your honesty.
Community connection
Knowing your community is vital. What do parents and teachers think? What do students need? Staying connected helps you make informed decisions that reflect the community’s values.
Decision-making skills
You’ll make decisions that impact many lives. Weigh up all the options, consider the consequences and choose wisely. It’s not always easy, but it’s always important.
Open-mindedness
Schools change, and so do communities. Be open to new ideas and willing to adapt. Listen to different perspectives and be ready to rethink your position if needed.
Financial savvy
Budgets matter. You don’t need to be an accountant, but understanding finances helps you allocate resources where they’re needed most.
Team spirit
You’re not a lone wolf. Work with other board members, teachers, and the community. Teamwork leads to better outcomes.
Empathy
Recognize the challenges that students and teachers face. Empathy helps you make decisions that consider everyone’s needs.
Commitment
It’s a big commitment. You need to dedicate time and effort consistently. Show up, be prepared and engage fully.
Understand the role and responsibilities of a board member
School board members are elected to serve as representatives of their communities. It is imperative for good board members to be aware of the work and expectations that have been set for them.
School board member responsibilities can be burdensome, as they work to serve as advocates for their local district. However, the work completed by board members is vital to the success of the district and its students.
By knowing and understanding the duties required of them, board members are also better able to understand the functions of other individuals who support district success (superintendents, administrators, staff, etc.). This knowledge can allow school boards and administrators to perform their best work to collaboratively work toward improving district achievement.
School board members have responsibilities tied to governance, policies, budgeting and more, which can seem a big task, but luckily, there are tools available that can help board members be efficient, effective and successfully fulfill their school board member responsibilities.
Leveraging the right technology, board members can prepare better for upcoming meetings by having easy access to vital documents and information.
Policies, procedures, board training materials, etc. can all be easily maintained and accessed through board management software.
Continued education and development
Even the most experienced school board members never stop learning. What makes a good school board member is the knowledge that being successful requires being a lifelong learner. Board members should take advantage of opportunities for training and development to enhance their skills and knowledge. Some states also mandate school board member training as part of the role.
Continuous and regular school board member training keeps board members cognizant of issues in the ever-changing field of education, while developing skills to contribute to the progress and success of the school district.
School board management software can make training materials easily accessible to school board members. Board education materials can be stored securely in the 'library' features of the software and board members are then able to review training documents at their convenience.
When using the right technology, board member training can be simplified and made more accessible. School board management software also promotes good orientation practices and encourages the continuing education of existing board members.
Being a school board member is a role filled with significant responsibilities and the potential to make a profound impact on your community's future. It's a position that demands not only dedication but also a strategic approach to governance. Our guide on being an exceptional school board member will help you navigate the complexities of educational leadership with confidence and effectiveness. Download the guide today to find out how stay energized and effective.
Embrace opportunities for partnering
The school board plays a significant role in the performance of the district and relationships are vital to school boards tackling district goals toward student success. These relationships can include those between the board and administrators or staff, the board and the superintendent, and even among board members. Each of these connections affects the work toward accomplishing district goals.
Partnership between the school board and these parties is vital toward district and student achievement.
In districts where superintendents are micromanaged by boards, have poor communication and conflict between board members and the superintendent, and where there is confusion between their roles or responsibilities, will tend to experience lower district performance.
Successful school districts with high student achievement have boards that focus on establishing and maintaining a positive relationship between the board and superintendent. Successful boards and administrators recognize that this positive partnership results in greater achievement for their students and district.
Technology that encourages transparency, communication and effectiveness between board members, administrators and the superintendent can help build that positive partnership by allowing pertinent information to be shared and accessed seamlessly.
Leveraging technology for governance, growth and achievement
What also makes a good school board member is embracing opportunities through technology that can lead to better governance and decision making. Good governance presents opportunities for school boards to take advantage of new resources to more efficiently and effectively accomplish district goals.
The right technology can support your board’s governance by providing a streamlined platform for school board members to leverage. Technology can equip school board members to be more organized, efficient and effective. Leveraging the right board management software, like Diligent Community, means school boards are better equipped to carry out the mission and vision of the district.
With Diligent Community, administrators can easily upload and share key materials with board members able to access and retrieve these documents from any device or location, securely. Meeting agendas, past meeting minutes, policy manuals, strategic plans, goal information, and orientation or training resources are all significant materials related to board functions; school board members can access these documents from any device or location, securely.
A good school board member is an individual who is willing to learn, be open and take advantage of opportunities for growth and development — through board training, building relationships and using technology — that support accomplishing district goals toward student success.
It is through the work of the entire governing body that district goals can be achieved and good school board members form a vital part of that success.
We at Diligent are here to support you as you use technology to become an effective board member. Learn how Diligent Community can help your school board.
