John Cassel is IASB field services director for the DuPage, North Cook and Starved Rock divisions; Barbara B. Toney is IASB field services director for Kishwaukee, Lake County and Northwest divisions.
Board work is, by design, teamwork. Even though each school board in Illinois is unique, teamwork is an essential characteristic for every successful board.
This is not unlike President Barack Obama's statement on the night of his election: " … our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared." Within this destiny, an essential challenge exists for every board: finding a successful balance between the contribution of the individual and the accountability of the group.
Board work is so important and difficult because no magic formula exists for successful schools, or for crafting a balanced board. The key to board excellence seems to center in two challenges: (1) focusing on the right work and (2) finding an effective balance honoring both the individual and the group.
A new tool developed by IASB, Governance Basics, can help boards with both challenges. Governance Basics incorporates two existing documents: Code of Conduct and the IASB Foundational Principles of Effective Governance which have been slightly modified, and a new document: School Board Member Opportunities and Expectations. Each of the three sections of Governance Basics is explored below.
Expect a contribution from all
Effective boards know the contribution of each board member is important to the success of the board. IASB's School Board Member Opportunities and Expectations is about the important contribution each board member can make.
While the board is always searching for common ground, it's not "group think." The perceptions and truths of each member must be heard and honored. Boards that exhibit respect for all members demonstrate a number of characteristics:
The bottom line: members sit around the table as equals. In contrast, an out-of-balance board does not allow for, or even structurally expect, the active and responsible participation of each board member. These boards do not adequately value rigorous analysis, the consideration of alternatives or individual creativity. When board members value cohesiveness and unanimity over a desire for quality decisions, the board will not function at optimal levels nor will the work be highly satisfying.
Conduct becoming a board
Effective boards also understand the governing agent is the board itself. The IASB Code of Conduct provides a basis for this understanding.
Overly individualistic board members do not believe in the power of the group and can only see their truth. In high-performing boards, all seven board members understand that it is the board that governs, not each individual board member.
Many experienced board members have seen first hand how the board as a whole can have more wisdom and insight than any one member. It is called "synergy," i.e., the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. But board synergy also requires trust. And trust requires good communications, quality data and agreement on a clear purpose.
Boards that exhibit such synergy have created common ground and practice a shared discipline. In addition, these boards accept accountability for the results of their district. Such boards understand that they are accountable to the whole district and all the children — present and future. Such a board, both in its words and in its actions, tells the district's story and no one member's version of the story is primary.
A focus on the right work
The third and final section of Governance Basics is the IASB Foundational Principles of Effective Governance, which are designed to help boards focus on the right work.
In addition to finding an internal balance between the individual and the group, the board needs to determine how it will best contribute to the success of the district. Agreement about the board's job and staying focused on board work are both key.
Experienced board members have learned some things about board work:
Honoring the contribution of effective school boards, we celebrate board members who have found the right balance between the individual and the group. And we celebrate boards that understand their role and make a positive contribution to the success of the district and its students.