Description
Book SynopsisThe information in this book will provide board members with simple tools to become an effective member of the board, even in the first term. Board members are introduced to Values Governance system that incorporates community process techniques, curricular, and instructional innovations. This new model provides greater efficiency, effectiveness, and coherence in the governance of the board. With the completion of this survival guide, the new board member is ready to join the board with some skills in hand.
Trade ReviewA 2001 Public Agenda survey of school administrators found that 69% of them felt that school board members micromanaged. Anecdotally, this continues as a problem today and likely explains much of our nation’s excessive superintendent turnover. Farrell, Nayfack, Smith & Wohlstetter (“One Size Does Not Fit All”) argue that school board micromanagement is seen as a contributing factor to the perceived failure of American education. Now Elected, Now What?: The Path to Successful School District Governance by Chuck Namit well describes the board’s governance role in a manner that both new and veteran members will appreciate. This is a welcome resource to help board members better understand their role and value to our education system. -- Steve Lamb, former Governance Consultant/Educator, California School Boards Association and Oregon School Boards Association
Chuck Namit has probably done as much or more research on school board governance than anyone else I know. Not only that, but he has taught it and lived it as a board trainer and as a school board director. All-in-all, Chuck Namit has developed a process that boards should consider if they are determined to improve achievement in their district. His work in this area will give them a solid foundation for improving the governance of the school district. Namit uses this book to describe various aspects of school governance and the latest thoughts regarding board decision-making and adds his contribution – Values Governance. -- Nicholas D. Caruso, Senior Staff Associate for Field Service and Coordinator of Technology, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education
As a former University Professor of Educational Leadership I highly recommended Now Elected, Now What? The Path to Successful School District Governance. This publication provides valuable tools and an effective theoretical and hands-on practical foundation for any student who plans to work with non-profit organizations. This book may be appropriately utilized in many of the University level courses preparing graduates for both administrative and governance roles. -- David A. Steele Ed.D, retired Superintendent of North Thurston Public Schools, former Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Seattle Pacific University
PowerFULL! An intense collection of practical and proven principles, tactics and strategies. Dive deep with any of the Values Governance elements, then advance enriched with a board warrior’s wisdom. Not for the mild at heart. Dedicated to those pursuing a legacy of excellence. -- Randy Black, Director of Member Relations, Colorado Association of School Boards
We certainly did not have anything like this book when I was on the school board. It can help make board members real players in their districts and not just rubber stamps for the superintendent and administration. It makes being a board member a more challenging job because it shows what really should be done—and how to do it. -- Sam Hunt, Washington State Senator, former North Thurston Public Schools school board member, former Washington State House member
Table of ContentsForeword Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Part 1: Survival Manual for a Board Member Chapter 1: Traditional Governance System: Current Governance Method Chapter 2: Alternative Governance Systems: Some New Methods in Governance Chapter 3: Turning to a New Governance Model: Values Governance® System Chapter 4: Establishing Principles for Your Governance Chapter 5: Mountain Peaks of Governance: Developing the Sky Bridge of Monitoring Chapter 6: Board and CEO Leadership: Board Self-Assessment and Superintendent Evaluation Chapter 7: Four Phases of School-Community Engagement Stages Chapter 8: School Governance and District Leadership to Increase Student Achievement Chapter 9: Establishing a Communication Style and Policy Control Status for Your Governance Chapter 10: Energizing Community Engagement in Two-Way Governance Chapter 11: The New Look of the Values Governance® System in an Organization Part 2: Getting the Most Out of Your Board Service: A Field Manual for Board Members Chapter 12: Traditional Governance System: Planning and Implementation Timelines (Application-Opportunity A) Chapter 13: Alternative Governance Systems: New Methods in Governance (Application-Opportunity B) Chapter 14: Moving to a New Governance Model: Universal Principles of Governance (Chapter Application-Opportunity) Step 1: Values Governance® System Chapter 15: Case Study: Monitoring Process to Resolve Issues (Application-Opportunity C) Step 2: Values Governance® System Chapter 16: Applications of Board Self-Assessment and Superintendent Evaluation (Application-Opportunity D) Step 3: Values Governance® System Chapter 17: Checking and Charting Your School and Community Stages (Application-Opportunity E) Step 4: Values Governance® System Chapter 18: Case Study: Leadership Implementing a Research-based Curriculum (Application-Opportunity F) Step 5: Values Governance® System Chapter 19: Board Member Communication: Four Communication Styles (Application-Opportunity G) Step 6A: Values Governance® System Chapter 20: Knowing Your Governance Style: Implications for Better School Governance (Application-Opportunity H) Step 6B: Values Governance® System Chapter 21: High Performing Community Engagement Techniques (Application-Opportunity I) Step 7: Values Governance® System Chapter 22: Turning to the Values Governance® System (Application-Opportunity J) Step 8: Values Governance® System Conclusion Endnotes Glossary About the Author: Chuck Namit Index
