Last month, we addressed the important skill sets and diverse experience that should be represented on a charter school board. Assembling a board is just the beginning. Building and maintaining effective relationships between a charter school leader and board members is essential for long-term school success.
In the October issue of Charter Schools Insider, charter school veterans Joe Keeney (4th Sector Solutions) and Adrian Morgan (FirstLine Schools) contribute the second article in our two-part series on assembling an effective governing board and creating a performance-enhancing, board-principal relationship. Not only do charter schools have a unique opportunity to build a highly functioning, diverse board, they also have advantages in fostering and maintaining effective governance.
In their "Recipes for Success" article, Keeney and Morgan first present some recipes to avoid, including Baked Board Ignorance, Minced Meddling, and Prima Donna Principal Pie. The authors examine each of these common, problematic scenarios before delving into four primary organizational-development categories:
- Founder assembles board
- Board finds leader
- Board hires executive director
- Board hired management company (EMO or CMO)
Each of these scenarios has its own challenges and benefits.
Keeney and Morgan also discuss how boards should function during meetings, examining three primary areas of focus:
- Setting or reviewing policy
- Supporting the school in meeting its performance goals
- Considering the pursuit of new initiatives
