Build a successful board by knowing where the land mines are Veteran school board member, Richard E. Mayer, takes a humorous but substantive approach to the serious relationship between school administrators and board members. While the overwhelming majority of school board members have good motives, even people who mean well can make bad moves. This book shows how to prevent good intentions from creating bad outcomes. Each chapter presents a negative school board scenario, offers alternatives, and provides win-win solutions. Key features include 28 brief case studies Lessons learned for board members Lessons learned for administrators In addition to highlighting typical traps, the case studies light the path to positive collaboration and shared decision making between superintendents and school boards. Whether you are a school board member or an administrator who is trying to figure out what goes on in school board members' heads, How Not to Be a Terrible School Board Member provides clear direction in a realistic and memorable way.
Preface About the Author Acknowledgments I. Terrible District teamwork 1. Humiliate a District Employee in Public 2. Negotiate in Public 3. Attack the Administration in Print 4. Micromanage the Superintendent 5. Never Question the Administration 6. Solicit Complaints from Teachers and Staff 7. Ask for Special Treatment II. Terrible Board Teamwork 8. Disrespect a Fellow Board Member 9. Speak for the Board 10. Build Coalitions 11. Abstain on Tough Votes 12. Be Decisive, Don't Compromise 13. Come Unprepared to a Board Meeting 14. Do Too Much Homework III. Terrible Public Relations 15. Represent Your Supporters 16. Minimize Public Input 17. Run Your Own District Survey 18. Argue with a Hostile Speaker 19. Confide in a Reporter 20. Garner Public Support 21. Sign a Petition IV. Terrible Personal Style 22. Ignore Minor Conflicts of Interest 23. Take Political Stands 24. Use the District's Credit Card 25. Remember Your Political Party 26. Do a Favor 27. Accept Gifts 28. Radiate Negative Energy Epilogue
"The author presents powerful vignettes that successfully describe the range of behaviors, decision making, language, thinking, and actions that often consciously and unconsciously undermine the superintendent, other school officials and employees, but worst of all other board members and the important work of the board members." -- Douglas Gordon Hesbol, Superintendent "All board members volunteer to serve because they want to be effective in providing students the best education the school district can provide. Richard Mayer addresses the broad range of mistakes he has seen made by board members during his years as a board member. This is a useful resource that board members and superintendents can use to ensure the successful governance of their school districts." -- Glen Ishiwata, Superintendent "I know of no other book that addresses this particular issue at this level of specificity and breadth. District and school administrators, as well as board members, will see it as useful." -- Robert Marzano, CEO "I think the approach is brilliant. It's a grabber that every insightful board member or administrator can identify with." -- Rene Townsend, Former Superintendent "Mayer writes in an authentic and respectful manner that provides the reader with a clear understanding of what it means to be an effective board member. This is a must-read for anyone who is a current board member, aspiring to become one, or an administrator who wants to develop solid professional relationships with their board members." -- Bonnie Tryon, Past President "This is the perfect book for board members and superintendents who already have busy lives but want to make sensible, reasoned choices in their work in today's schools." -- Cindy Wilson, Associate Professor and Department Chair
