ABSTRACT

Every student deserves a high-impact, well-qualified, and governance-driven school board. In this helpful book, best-selling authors Ryan Donlan and Todd Whitaker show you as a school board member how to make smart, worthwhile decisions that will lead to positive change in your district. The School Board Member’s Guidebook addresses the challenges of making realistic choices that will truly benefit the school and have a lasting impact. Topics include:

    • How to work and communicate effectively with the superintendent during the year;
    • How to find common ground with colleagues;
    • How to represent the interests and needs of the community at large;
    • How to keep your constituencies focused and informed through strategic planning and structured committee participation;
    • How to host constructive and cordial school board meetings;
    • How to capitalize on individual talents and strengths;
    • And more!

Each chapter offers strategies, tips, and sample scenarios. With these resources and the practical advice throughout the book, you’ll be able to make a lasting difference in the lives of every student in your district. You’ll be a Difference Maker.

chapter 1|8 pages

The Difference Maker

chapter 2|7 pages

How to Find Common Ground

chapter 3|9 pages

How to Maximize Constituencies

chapter 5|8 pages

What Boards of Education Are Really About

chapter 6|10 pages

How Boards Can Govern More Effectively

chapter 7|6 pages

The Superintendent as Your Shield

chapter 8|7 pages

The Care and Feeding of Community Members

chapter 9|8 pages

Holding Board Meetings

chapter 10|6 pages

Between Board Meetings

chapter 11|9 pages

Community Caricatures

chapter 12|7 pages

Governing Best: Advancing by Retreating

chapter 13|5 pages

Starting Undefeated