BOE 09-10 Self-Evaluation: Board Operations & Board Performance

And now for the latest installment of my report on the Self-Evaluation exercise the Board undertook last month.

You can click here to see what the ratings of 1-2-3-4 mean. (Also, the first number is the average score; the 2nd number (in parentheses) is the score I gave.) Also, remember that the presentation and discussion of this evaluation took place at the Board meeting on 8/30/10, and you can watch the video by clicking here.

Section V: Board Operations:

Our Board:
1. holds our meetings in compliance with applicable statutes, policies and bylaws. 3.8 (4)
2. provides a climate that allows free, open and orderly discussion by all members at our meetings. 3.3 (3)
3. develops and utilizes skills in teamwork, consensus-building, collaborative problem solving and decision-making. 2.7 (2)
4. uses good decision-making processes, acting only after all appropriate information has been received and studies. 2.8 (2)
5. acts only after giving administration time to gather information and make recommendations. 3.0 (3)
6. respects the administration's leadership by thoughtfully deliberating on recommendations. 3.3 (4)
7. provides time, funding and opportunity for orienting and updating our members on local, county, state and federal levels in accordance with statutory travel regulations. 3.2 (4)
8. Our board method of governance contributes to overall effectiveness and efficiency of the board. 3.0 (2)
9. Our board method of governance has clearly defined bylaws. 3.2 (2)
10. Our board method of governance lessens the total work of board members. 2.5 (2)
11. Our board method of governance ensures appropriate communication to the board. 2.8 (2)

As a board member, I:
A. introduce new issues through the agenda process, allowing sufficient time for appropriate study. 3.4 (4)
B. recognize the importance of teamwork, problem solving and effective decision-making. 3.6 (4)
C. attend workshops to increase my effectiveness as a board member. 2.4 (2)

We seem to have a wider diversity of opinion on our Board operations...how we do business and work with each other. I think it's probably worth exploring these issues as a group. Not sure what the others think. Perhaps it's OK to agree to disagree?

Section VI: Board Performance:

Our Board members:
1. recognize that authority rests with the board as a whole, sitting in a legally authorized board meeting. 3.0 (4)
2. make every effort to attend all board meetings, coming prepared and having done their homework. 3.8 (4)
3. recognize the need for, and the importance of, confidentiality. 3.7 (4)
4. work together in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. 2.8 (3)
5. ensure that all members have input into decisions. 2.7 (3)
6. avoid even the appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest. 3.3 (4)
7. operates in accordance with the board member's Code of Ethics and the Ethics Act. 3.5 (4)

As a board member, I:
A. make no personal promises nor take any private action. 3.2 (3)
B. make every effort to attend all meetings, having done my homework and prepared to contribute. 3.6 (3)
C. maintain the confidentiality of board proceedings. 3.4 (3)
D. am respectful of everyone at our meetings and I listen with an open mind. 3.2 (3)
E. adhere to ethical standards. 3.2 (3)

It seems we still feel we operate ethically, honestly and confidentially, but some of our "working together" scores are a bit low. Something to work on (although not exactly sure how...)

The next post on this topic will cover Board/Superintendent Relationships and Board/Staff Relationships.