5 Strategies to Keep Your Board Running Smoothly

Being on a board is like any relationship, it requires time and effort to make it work effectively. And board members know that means more than just showing up for the meetings.  

Focusing on activities, policies, and procedures that have the most impact allows a board and its members to be more efficient and stay aligned to its mission.  

These five strategies can simplify the process.  

1. Prepare for Board Transitions 

School boards experience change anytime a trustee is elected or decides to step down. State law requires that all new board members receive a local district orientation. How a new member is onboarded can set the tone for the future of the team. When done well, it’s an opportunity to build relationships and strengthen the board. 

Getting started on a board as a new trustee can seem overwhelming with so much to learn and navigate from Day 1. When boards have a plan or a procedure for onboarding new trustees, it provides answers to important questions while also simplifying the process.  

From introducing key district staff to outlining district goals, the orientation can offer both basic and critical information for navigating board service. The most important thing is that once created, a board must consistently use the onboarding procedures and make any updates as needed over time. 

2. Conduct an Annual Self-Assessment 

A board works best when its members are aligned in their vision and have a respectful relationship. Small misunderstandings can lead to larger fractures within the board. And losing sight of the board’s mission and goals can not only make the work more challenging but it can result in poor performance.  

One strategy a board can take to ensure it is working collaboratively and focused on its goals is to conduct an annual self-assessment. A self-assessment is an opportunity for the board to strengthen relationships and create accountability. 

A board can take any number of avenues to conduct its self-assessment, including using its own evaluation instrument. Or it may wish to work with an in-district consultant who can guide the board through the process and discussion.  

TASB’s Board Development Services’ consultants work with boards throughout the state with the self-assessment process. Each board member provides input, and the consultants then analyze the results, creating a detailed report that dives into the board’s governance practices, which is then followed up with an in-district facilitated discussion of the results.  

How a board conducts its self-assessment is up to the members, but the important step is in pursuing the process, which can lead to better understanding and a recommitment to the board’s work. 

3. Engage in Community Advocacy 

A key role trustees hold is that of public education advocate. There are many ways a board and its trustees can serve as advocates for their district and its students, whether sharing good news with the community, maintaining open lines of communication, advocating at the Capitol, or hosting town hall meetings with constituents.  

Taking a variety of approaches to keep your community informed while also finding opportunities to connect with your local legislators can go a long way in sharing not only your district’s concerns and needs but also highlighting student success stories and positive outcomes.  

For boards and trustees seeking support for their advocacy efforts, TASB provides resources including the Community Advocacy Toolkit and its related activities. It also offers board members opportunities to make their voices heard through Grassroots Meetings held across the state. The feedback is then incorporated into the TASB Advocacy Agenda, a two-year action plan focusing the priorities of the more than 1,000 local school boards in Texas. 

4. Strengthen the Board-Superintendent Relationship 

Good superintendents are always in high demand. Research has shown that the longer a superintendent stays at a district, the better its students perform academically. Which is why it’s imperative that a board have a collaborative relationship with its superintendent. 

When a board does not have a good working relationship with its leadership there is the potential for turnover. That in time can make it harder to fill the role. To avoid this, a board should reflect on its expectations and make sure it is communicating that information to its superintendent. It’s also beneficial for the board and superintendent to take time each year to discuss expectations. 

Together, setting a long-term vision and mission will support the district’s larger goals, with each party, the board and superintendent, clear on what role they each play so they can stay focused on the district’s priorities.  

5. Stay Current with Training 

As education leaders, board members know there is always more to learn and opportunities for growth. Continuing education goes hand in hand with the role of a board member. The outcome of doing the work should result in effective and efficient school board meetings.  

TASB offers many opportunities for boards and teams of eight to get the required training they need and some sessions are offered close to home at locations around the state. 

Upcoming TASB Training Opportunities Include 

• Spring Workshops: A variety of courses offered at partner locations across the state from March through May. 
• Summer Leadership Institute:  San Antonio, June 11-14, and Fort Worth, June 18-21 
• txEDCON25: Sept. 11-14 in Houston 
• Texas Trustee Institute: Training designed for new board members, held during SLI. 
• Board Officer Institute: A six-week course offered twice a year in January and July for board officers and those considering an officer role. A modified version is offered during SLI. 
• Online Learning Center: Find a wide variety of courses that can be taken anytime and anywhere. 

Learn more about all of the training courses that are available.