3 minute read
Boards, superintendents must talk
from March 2021
by ASBA
fix the issue. Another is the ability to effectively communicate and be willing to ask for help. Some students might actually do that better in an online environment, while others might struggle.
Other necessary traits are tech preparedness, independent study skills, self motivation, and time management skills.
Virtual Arkansas surveyed 300 students for their tips about succeeding online. Their advice? Don’t procrastinate, go to Zoom meetings, take notes, try your best and believe in yourself, and pay attention to your calendar, the students said.
Boards, superintendents must communicate
Superintendents need to know what’s expected; board members must know what’s happening, Beebe presenters say
School board members should make clear their expectations of superintendents, while superintendents must keep their board members informed, said Beebe School District Superintendent Dr. Chris Nail and board Vice President Jason Smith at this year’s ASBA Annual Conference.
The two presented a breakout session entitled, “Superintendent/board relations: Understanding the other perspective to communicate effectively.”
Nail said he tries to share information with board members early so they don’t learn it from others at church or while shopping.
“I try to tell myself I get paid to communicate with my board,” he said. “Board members don’t get paid anything. They just do it because they want to help the school and the community.”
Smith said the relationship between board members and superintendents can deteriorate after a disagreement occurs and the different sides retreat into their bunkers. It’s important to reach out and communicate.
Nail said he sends a weekly memo to school board members that starts with the positives and then provides other information about topics such as board training, Freedom of Information Act requests and media contacts. The memo provides the superintendent’s schedule, COVID-19 numbers, activities of other staff members, and reflections on the week. He sends board members a 7 a.m. text informing them that the memo has been released.
Nail keeps in mind that the memo is subject to a FOIA request, but there’s nothing in there that he wouldn’t be afraid to see reported. Smith said it’s a 3-4 minute read, and he loves the positive news about the students.
Nail said he tries to ensure board members have seven days to look at their board packets. Meetings start by recognizing students, which changes the tone.
For the superintendent’s evaluation, board members are given a form where they rate the superintendent in a variety of areas from 1-5, or from “unacceptable” to “excellent.” The format creates uniformity and lets board members provide effective feedback.
Nail said superintendents should approach their evaluation with an open mind and be transparent. If school board members want their superintendent to improve in an area, they should provide a detailed explanation describing what they want – not just say they want him or her to be more of a people person, for example.
“Whatever they want, just please just share that with them because even though it might be a little bit uncomfortable while you’re doing it, it gives the superintendent the opportunity to meet your expectations,” he said.
The two said school board members often are more closely connected to their communities than superintendents, who frequently move to the district from elsewhere and eventually leave for another job.
“As a board member, one thing that I think that all of us don’t really burn in our brain is it is our fiduciary responsibility as a board to your district,” said Smith, who described himself as a third generation Badger.
“It’s not Dr. Nail’s responsibility. It’s our responsibility. And 10 years from here, Dr. Nail may be at another district somewhere else, and we are still here entrenched in our communities. And it’s our responsibility to make sure that financially [our] district is sound and [we’re] moving the right direction because we’re the ones that are going to be left here in this community to deal with it otherwise.”
