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<\/a><\/p>\nI learned the most from this\u00a0presentation. Mr. Gary Brochu (President, Berlin Board of Education) made the point that a school board meets about 72 hours a year and we should make the best use of that time:<\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s presentation, \u201cProfessional Governance Boards = Student Success,\u201d was based on the idea that becoming a professionally functioning board of education is an essential precondition to a school district achieving sustainable student success.<\/p>\n
In this new culture, the board chair (or president) must set the tone and ensure that this new paradigm, including new roles and responsibilities, is followed and supported by the board, since it will affect the work of staff and the achievement of students.<\/p>\n
The two presenters from Connecticut \u2014 Gary Brochu, a board chair for a decade and a half, and Robert Rader, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education \u2014 based their presentation on the foundation first set out in the Iowa Association of School Boards\u2019 Lighthouse Study. The study found that governance of school boards has a direct relationship to student achievement.<\/p>\n
In their presentation, Brochu and Rader, discussed the seven characteristics of a professional governance board:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Always model desired behavior.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Understand the board\u2019s leadership role and responsibilities.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Focus and insist on real accountability.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The board and its members are always prepared.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Board members govern as one board.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The board and its members are characterized by high expectations.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Individual members assume responsibility for the entire board\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
These characteristics were further explained and expanded, often with illustrations and examples for board members of what professional governance looks like in practice. Rader took attendees through a discussion of the board chair\u2019s special role in creating and sustaining a culture and practice of professionalism, including the relationship with the superintendent. Rader stressed the importance of relationships, especially among board members, as they deal with the special challenges of \u201cleading leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n
The deliberate choosing and building of a unique and sustainable board culture was a theme throughout the presentation. Brochu described a board culture as \u201ca continuous affirmation of a board\u2019s values,\u201d regardless of the district\u2019s challenges. The necessity of a powerful culture that reaffirms universally held values was placed at the center of creating a professional governance board.<\/p>\n
In the words of Jim Senigal, the retired Costco CEO who was quoted during the presentation \u2014 \u201cCulture isn\u2019t the most important thing. Culture is the only thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Building a legacy of professionalism and performance isn\u2019t accomplished easily or quickly. But it\u2019s work worth doing. And according to the two presenters, now is a good time to start.<\/p>\n
Link To NSBA Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I learned the most from this\u00a0presentation. Mr. Gary Brochu (President, Berlin Board of Education) made the point that a school board meets about 72 hours a year and we should make the best use of that time: Sunday\u2019s presentation, \u201cProfessional Governance Boards = Student Success,\u201d was based on the idea that becoming a professionally functioning board of education is an essential precondition to a school district achieving sustainable student success. In this new culture, the … Continue reading