Description
Book SynopsisThe Secrets of School Board Success: Practical Tips for Board Members offers practical suggestions for effective service on a public school board. Readers will learn how Lynn Hamilton helped garner the support of teachers, terminate collective bargaining with a union, and pass six of seven tax increase measures after a long history of failures at the polls. As a result of his 15-year career as a school board member, Hamilton is able to portray how members of a school board can foster an environment that helps to create an outstanding superintendent, which is key to a successful public school system. Board members and administrators will relate to the real-life problems that are described here, and benefit from the creative and eye-opening solutions based on Hamilton's success and experience.
Trade ReviewHaving stepped down after 15 years of school board service, Lynn Hamilton uses his experience and perspective to provide fellow board members and administrators with practical and engaging insight into the world of school governance. The Secrets of School Board Success is not the work of an academic; rather, it is a hands-on guide that educators can both use and enjoy. -- Glenn Cook, editor-in-chief, American School Board Journal
Lynn Hamilton came on board as a student and left as a statesman of school boardmanship. I cannot think of anyone better qualified who could and should write a book about this unique kind of public service. -- Marty Moore, board member, North Little Rock School District
Lynn served many terms on the North Little Rock School Board and was a model board member. Always prepared and rarely absent, Lynn was a quietly reasonable voice on the board. During a threatened teacher strike, his calm manner and workable ideas averted the strike. Schools boards everywhere could use more board members like Lynn. -- Debra K. Roberts, former school board member, North Little Rock
Lynn Hamilton possessed the ability to listen while helping lead our school district with professionalism and decorum. He was our board's voice of reason, keeping all shareholders in mind (students, teachers, staff, and community) as decisions were made and visions were developed. He was approachable and genuinely interested in our shared efforts to improve the quality of education in the district. Integrity and composure were his trademarks. -- Mary Beth Cox, teacher, North Little Rock High School
As a school board member, Lynn Hamilton's intelligent and commonsense approach to board matters allowed him to calm volitile situations and retain the respect of all involved. He was a consenus builder who listened with an open mind to patron and employee concerns while retaining the ability to make the tough decisions. He truly cared about students and thoroughly enjoyed serving the schools. -- James R. Smith, superintendent, North Little Rock, Arkansas Public Schools, 1989-2004
Table of ContentsChapter 1 The Importance of Intentionally Building Positive Relationships Chapter 2 Why Would Anyone Want to be a School Board Member? Chapter 3 Personal Characteristics of Successful School Board Members Chapter 4 The Superintendent: A Board Member's Most Important Relationship Chapter 5 Bonding with Fellow Board Members Chapter 6 Productive Relationships with School District Employees Chapter 7 Creating a Positive Relationship with the Public Chapter 8 Effective School Board Meetings Chapter 9 Continual Growth and Learning Chapter 10 The Top Ten Secrets of a Successful School Board Member Chapter 11 My First Political Campaign, My First Political Defeat (1986) Chapter 12 Redemption! A Winning School Board Campaign (1988) Chapter 13 A Tumultuous First Year (1988-1989) Chapter 14 Finishing My First Term with a Fizzle (1989-1990 and 1990-1991) Chapter 15 My School Board Dark Ages (1991-1994) Chapter 16 My School Board Renaissance (1994-1997) Chapter 17 A Resolution to Conflict with the Teachers' Union (1997-2000) Chapter 18 Ending on a High Note (2000-2003) Chapter 19 Appendix: Historical Note and Timeline
