School Board Meeting Agendas: Who, What, When, Where, How?

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Local school boards meet all around this country in governing our nation’s public schools.

• Who makes the agenda?

In my home state of Georgia, the superintendent and board chair have the responsibility of creating the monthly agenda; each member of the board can additionally request that an item be placed on the agenda. What’s put in? The key behind an effective meeting is that each item should be tied back to the school system’s strategic plan. There are typical monthly items to be presented by central office staff like the technology, facility, and business reports. There can be executive session items, but these must fall into one of several categories, such as the purchase of real estate, personnel, or meeting with the district’s legal counsel.

• When and where does the board meet?

A best practice is to have a work session followed by the regular meeting of the board. Notification of these open meetings must be done in accordance with each state’s laws. Some boards meet in the same location month after month; others meet in various schools around the district.

• The “how” is extremely important, too.

A board should behave professionally and model 21st century governance.

• And, don’t forget the “why.”

Simon Sinek’s book “Start with Why” should be read by every public servant in our country. Local school board members are to serve the children in their community. When we remember “why” we do our work and then align our work according to the system’s strategic plan, the result is educational excellence.

Our contributor, Diane Sandifer

From local to state and national roles in public service, Diane Sandifer served on the Harris County Schools GA Board of Education from 1998-2008. Additionally, Diane was elected as president of the Georgia School Boards Association in 2006 and was a member of the National School Boards Association Board of Directors in 2007 and 2008. Diane advocates 21st century governance from the board room to the classroom through her passion for integration of technology as well as effective strategic planning. Diane represents school board members in statewide commissions and projects and has played an integral role in educational research through groups like the Wallace Foundation. Diane lives in Pine Mountain, Georgia and is currently the account executive for eBOARDsolutions.