The Board Chair

Leader of the band or interested bystander?

Elaine Hines – Manager Professional Development NZSTA

ObjectivesWhat makes a good chairman?Are you fit for purpose?How can you influence performance?

The What? So What? Now What?

A Good Chairman?1. Purpose - common purpose, shared values,

and aligned vision 2. People - treat them well, earn their trust,

respect and loyalty3. Simplicity – simplicity is the ultimate

sophistication4. Awareness - self aware, organizationally

aware, culturally aware, contextually aware, and emotionally aware

A leader's dynamic does not come from special powers.

It comes from a strong belief in a purpose and a willingness to express that conviction.

- Kouzes & Posner.

I have an excellent understanding of and commitment to the school vision and values. I believe that people are our most important resource and that relationships in our school community must be based on trust, respect and loyalty. Our board must be culturally responsive, it must seek and listen to the views of our community and engage in meaningful relationships to enhance each student’s learning outcomes. I commit to ensuring simple, transparent process is in place to ensure that student progress and achievement is the primary focus of our board. 

The reality is anyone can lead, but very few lead well.

Will you just show up for board meetings or will you lead well?

Can boards make a difference?Original Lighthouse Study (1998–2000): School boards in districts with a history of higher student achievement were significantly different in knowledge, beliefs and actions from the boards in the lower achieving districts. This study became one of the first and only studies that made a credible research-based connection between the work of the school board and levels of student achievement.

The Iowa Lighthouse Project (2002–2007): Preliminary results in five pilot districts reveal significant learning about key behaviors of the board/superintendent team that influence district culture and are correlated with higher achievement. When boards in these sites have focused on creating a sense of urgency, developing a districtwide focus for improvement, creating conditions within the system for success, monitoring progress, deliberative policy development, and developing a leadership continuum, student learning results have shown positive trends of improvement.

Succession planning & induction

Governance

framework

Effective relationshi

ps

Effective meetings

Primary focus student

achievement

The Effective Chairman's Goals

Succession planning & induction

What skills/qualities/gender/ethnicity do we need?

What skills/qualities/gender/ethnicity have we?

Where are the gaps? How do we fill them?What does a successful induction

programme look like?

Before putting their hand up, prospective trustees have a right to know:

The roles a trustee must play

The skills s/he must bring into play

The behaviours expected of the team and its individuals

Skill/

Attributes

Trustee 1

Trustee 2

Trustee 3

Trustee 4

Trustee 5

Trustee 6

Trustee 7

Strategic              

 Analytical              

Courageous              

Team player              

 Financial understanding

             

Legal understanding

             

Knowledge of education

             

Culturally aware              

Gender M/F              

Ethnic group/s identified with

             

Trustee Audit

Governance framework

What is governance and management at our school?What does our charter say and is it the basis of all school

decision making?What are our policies for ourselves and our expectations

and bottom lines for our principal?Have we a 3 year review programme covering strategic,

regular and emergent review?Are all our delegations formally recorded?

Effective relationships

What are the board’s expectations in the following relationshipsWithin the board?Board to principal?Chair to principal?Board to

staff/students/parents/iwi/community/proprietor?

Target audience

Reason Date Form of communication

Person responsible

Budget Outcome

School community

Charter review

July – August 2014

Survey monkeyFace to face forums

Board charter review working party

$1200.00 Information will be used to support the review of the current charter term 4 2014

             

             

             

             

Board of Trustees Communication Plan

Effective MeetingsWhat are our expectations of meetings?Who sets the agenda and what format is it?When do they start and finish?What are the rules around non trustee participation?What format do our meeting minutes take?What reports are presented and in what format?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t94SNWJ9EAo

Your role gives you authority Your behaviour gives you respect

The motivating team leader is that one person with a dream for the future.

- Dr. Losoncy