Description
Build a successful board by knowing where the land mines are
Veteran school board member, Richard E. Mayer, takes a humorous 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 behavior scenario and analysis, offers alternatives, and provides win-win solutions. Key features include:
- 28 brief case studies
- Lessons learned for board members
- Lessons learned for administrators
Table of Contents
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
