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ABSTRACT
The performance of school boards as a governmental body has been a source of often well-deserved critique in both policy and academic outlets. In this article, we explore approaches to school board governance to conceptualize possible approaches to increasing effective governance in service of students—namely effective governance, district operations, and student learning. We explore both alternative structures to replace traditional school boards and the ways in which relationships between actors in the system might offer routes for more effective governance within traditional school boards.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional Resources
1. Resource #1: Report: Effective School Board and Superintendent Collaboration. https://www.hanoverresearch.com/media/Effective-Board-and-Superintendent-Collaboration-Featured.pdf
This report offers a set of practical and evidence-based practices and effective strategies for establishing strong relations between school boards and their superintendents and improving school board governance.
2. Resource #2: Should SchoolBoards Run Schools? A virtualconference series on school governance. https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/taubman/programs-research/pepg/events/school-boards-conference-2023
The website highlights an interesting and compelling seven-part virtual conference that dives deeply into a full range of the debates and challenges outlined in this article.
3. Resource #3: School boards and superintendents:Common Ground. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-boards-and-superintendents/id1556314856?i = 1000537005602
This podcast features two well-respected educators engaged in debate and discussion about the polarization of school boards.
Notes
1. A term we use to describe a reflective process by which board members and superintendents take time to reflect on the challenges and pressures experienced by those outside their position.