Survival Tips for Superintendents: School Board: Roles and Responsibilities

School Board: Roles and Responsibilities

Board-Superintendent Expectations

A State Policy Framework, Education Commission of the States, 2002

To view and print pdf files you will need Acrobat Reader.

The Education Commission of the States released a report, A State Policy Framework, The Roles and Responsibilities of School Boards and Superintendents, September, 2002. The following description of roles is taken from that document.

As elected officials, school board members represent the educational values and priorities of the members of the community. School boards provide a forum for community members to be heard, key issues to be debated and public votes to take place. In principle, school boards provide stewardship and direction for public education is the community.

Responsibilities of the School Board

Selecting, working with, and evaluating the superintendent.
Serving as advocates for all children, teachers, and other staff by adopting "kids first" goals, policies, and budget.
Maintaining fiscal responsibility and fiscal autonomy with the authority to appropriate local funds necessary to support the board-approved budget.
Delegating to the superintendent the day-to-day administration of the school district, including student discipline and all personnel matters.
Evaluating their own leadership, governance, and teamwork for children.

Responsibilities of the Board/Superintendent Team

Thinking Differently: Recommendations for 21st Century School Board/Superintendent Leadership, Governance, and Teamwork for High Student Achievement, From Richard H. Goodman and William G. Zimmerman, Jr. (2000)

Having as its top priority the creation of teamwork and advocacy for the high achievement an healthy development of all children in the community.
Providing educational leadership for the community including the development and implementation of the community vision and long-range plan, in close collaboration with principals, teachers, other staff, and parents.
Creating strong linkages with social service, health, and other community organizations and agencies to provide community-wide support and services for healthy development and high achievement for all children.
Setting district-wide policies and annual goals, tied directly to the community's vision and long-range plan for education.
Approving an annual school district budget (developed by the superintendent, adopted by the board).
Ensuring the safety and adequacy of all school facilities.
Providing resources for the professional development of teachers, principals, and other staff.
Overseeing negotiations with employee groups.

From Richard H. Goodman and William G. Zimmerman, Jr. (2000). Thinking Differently: Recommendations for 21st Century School Board/Superintendent Leadership, Governance, and Teamwork for High Student Achievement.

Survival Tips for Superintendents