Effective School Boards

"An empathetic but hard-hitting book about effective school boardleadership. It should be required reading for superintendents,school board members, and all elected leaders."

--Anne L. Bryant, executive director, National School BoardsAssociation

"The chances for providing an even better education for studentsincreases geometrically when school boards and superintendents worktogether in common purpose. This book can help build the capacityof boards to support district-level improvement with wisegovernance and leadership."

--Paul Houston, executive director, American Association of SchoolAdministrators

School boards are under fire and overworked, but they are here tostay. Here is a practical guide to improving their operation.Filled with real-life examples of sound board action, EffectiveSchool Boards presents a useful model for boards who want to make adifference in improving education and leading wisely. In this book,Eugene Smoley analyzes information received from extensiveinterviews with school board members about the key elements ofhighly functional boards and offers advice and insights to helpboards make better decisions, act collaboratively, relate to theircommunities, and plan strategically. He outlines three stages ofboard improvement--self-assessment, monitoring, anddevelopment--highlighting how boards can partner with districtsuperintendents to lead change. Practical tools for improvementinclude a self-evaluation questionnaire, a sample format forretreats and conferences, and concrete suggestions to assist schoolboard members, superintendents, concerned citizens, businessleaders, foundations, and anyone who cares about how today'sschools are governed.

EUGENE R. SMOLEY, JR., is an indepAndent consultant who helps school districts and nonprofit organizations resolve management and governance issues. He is a senior fellow of the Cheswick Center, a research and education trust dedicated to improving nonprofit governance. He has worked with school boards and superintAndents of many school districts across the country. He teaches in the educational leadership doctoral program at the University of Delaware.