Summary
Contents
Build a successful board by knowing where the land mines are
Veteran school board member, Richard E. Mayer, takes a humorous but substantive approach to the serious relationship between school administrators and board members. While the overwhelming majority of school board members have good motives, even people who mean well can make bad moves. This book shows how to prevent good intentions from creating bad outcomes. Each chapter presents a negative school board scenario, offers alternatives, and provides win-win solutions. Key features include: 28 brief case studies; Lessons learned for board members; Lessons learned for administrators
In addition to highlighting typical traps, the case studies light the path to positive collaboration and shared decision making between superintendents and school boards. Whether you are a school board member or an administrator who is trying to figure out what goes on in school board members' heads, How Not to Be a Terrible School Board Member provides clear direction in a realistic and memorable way.
Terrible Habit #10: Build Coalitions
Terrible Habit #10: Build Coalitions
After the Board Meeting, Anna's Pub
It was a fairly short board meeting tonight, and to celebrate an early adjournment, you invite a fellow board member, Zeke Zimmerman, to have a beer with you at a nearby pub. This is a common scenario because you and Zeke have formed an informal coalition on the board, especially when it comes to budget issues. Sometimes, you even invite the superintendent.
Once seated in a cozy booth at Anna's Pub, you and Zeke analyze some of the recent agenda discussions and how you were able to steer the votes to your side.
“Let's drink to good votes!” you say, and so you do.
You and Zeke plot out your strategy on an upcoming ...