MichiganMichigan ConferenceConferenceOffice of EducationOffice of Education

MichiganMichigan ConferenceConferenceOffice of EducationOffice of Education

School Board

Orientation Larry Blackmer,Associate Superintendent of Schools,Michigan Conference of SDA

Larry Blackmer,Associate Superintendent of Schools,Michigan Conference of SDA

Why are we here?Why are we here?What are our What are our responsibilities?responsibilities?

Whom do we serve?Whom do we serve?How do we manage?How do we manage?

Why are we here?Why are we here?What are our What are our responsibilities?responsibilities?

Whom do we serve?Whom do we serve?How do we manage?How do we manage?

The primary aim of SDA education is to provide The primary aim of SDA education is to provide

opportunity for students to accept Christ as their opportunity for students to accept Christ as their

Savior, to allow the Holy Spirit to transform their lives, Savior, to allow the Holy Spirit to transform their lives,

and to fulfill the commission of preaching the gospel to and to fulfill the commission of preaching the gospel to

all the world.all the world. The education program is predicated on the belief that The education program is predicated on the belief that

each student is unique and of inestimable value, and each student is unique and of inestimable value, and on the importance of the development of the whole on the importance of the development of the whole person. Students are educated to accept service as a person. Students are educated to accept service as a way of life, to be sensitive to the needs of the people in way of life, to be sensitive to the needs of the people in the home and society, and to become active members the home and society, and to become active members in the church.in the church.

The primary aim of SDA education is to provide The primary aim of SDA education is to provide

opportunity for students to accept Christ as their opportunity for students to accept Christ as their

Savior, to allow the Holy Spirit to transform their lives, Savior, to allow the Holy Spirit to transform their lives,

and to fulfill the commission of preaching the gospel to and to fulfill the commission of preaching the gospel to

all the world.all the world. The education program is predicated on the belief that The education program is predicated on the belief that

each student is unique and of inestimable value, and each student is unique and of inestimable value, and on the importance of the development of the whole on the importance of the development of the whole person. Students are educated to accept service as a person. Students are educated to accept service as a way of life, to be sensitive to the needs of the people in way of life, to be sensitive to the needs of the people in the home and society, and to become active members the home and society, and to become active members in the church.in the church.

Mission of SDA Mission of SDA EducationEducation

Mission of SDA Mission of SDA EducationEducation

““The greatest object of The greatest object of education is to enable us to education is to enable us to use the powers use the powers which God has given us in which God has given us in such a such a manner as will best manner as will best represent represent the religion of the Bible and the religion of the Bible and to to promote the glory of God.”promote the glory of God.”

Fund. of Education. Fund. of Education. 4545

The board member will The board member will become the best he orbecome the best he or

she can be if theshe can be if thecause of Christ is cause of Christ is

thethe cause that cause that motivates all actions motivates all actions

and decisions.and decisions.

Organizational Structure

Organizational Structure

General Conference of SDAGeneral Conference of SDA

5,404 Schools5,404 Schools906,755 Students906,755 Students45,614 Teachers45,614 Teachers

North American DivisionNorth American Division

1155 Schools1155 Schools 95 Academies95 Academies 150 Jr. Acad.150 Jr. Acad. 909 Elem.909 Elem.

K-12K-12

66,164 Students66,164 Students 50,464 K-850,464 K-8 15,701 9-1215,701 9-12

5,791 Teachers5,791 Teachers

Lake UnionLake Union

121 Schools 95 Elem. 18 Junior Acad. 8 Academies

5,476 Students

315 Teachers

Michigan ConferenceMichigan Conference

2,617 Students 1,896 Elem. 110 Junior Acad. 611 Academy

183 Teachers

55 Schools40 Elementary12 Junior Acad. 3 Academy

Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

NADNAD

GCGC

Union ExecUnion Exec Conf ExecConf Exec

NAD EducNAD Educ

Union EducUnion Educ

Conf EducConf EducUnion Bd of EdUnion Bd of Ed Conf Bd of EdConf Bd of Ed

SchoolConstituency

SchoolConstituency

SchoolBoardSchoolBoard

Sch. AdminSch. AdminSch. AdminSch. Admin ParentsParentsParentsParentsTeachersTeachersTeachersTeachers

StudentsStudentsStudentsStudents

Role of the Role of the School School BoardBoard

School Board Organization of the school should be

designed to meet the needs of its constituency

The school board is the link between the constituency and the school administration

School administration is the link between the school board and the parents and students

Functions of the School Board Develop a clear, practical set of objectives Ensure implementation of policies & plans of the Office of Educ. Keep official minutes of each meeting Develop policies in areas of local concern such as:

use of school facility purchasing procedures tuition & methods of financial support Admission requirements textbook purchases facilities, equipment, and maintenance short- and long-range planning dress and social behavior

Functions of the School Board-2 Support the principal or head teacher in school admin. Receive the recommendation of admin. in cases of serious

discipline. Serve as ultimate authority in dismissal of students. Consideration of student dismissal must occur in executive session.

Support the Home & School Association Consider appeals & answer questions regarding the operation of the

school. Coordinate the process of school evaluation as scheduled by the

Union or conference office of education. Adopt the recommended conference school calendar. Any

modifications must receive prior approval from the conference.

Functions of the School Board-3

In counsel with the supt. of schools, develop a proposed plan of school organization including a constitution and bylaws, and admin. organization, and a basic curriculum plan for the school. Present the proposed plan to the constituency for approval.

Authorize the preparation of a school bulletin, including: Financial information School regulations Course offerings Statement of nondiscrimination Mission statement, school philosophy, and objectives.

Functions of the School Board-4 Assume responsibility for the planning and funding of an annual

operating budget including: Capital expenditures Operating expenses Curriculum materials Play equipment Library/Media Center materials School supplies Insurance Indebtedness Others at the option of the school board

Functions of the School Board-5 Consult the conference office of education regarding hiring, or

concerns with the teachers, or principal. All discussions regarding the professional staff must be in executive session with a representative of the office of education in attendance.

Consult the conference regarding construction procedures. Cooperate with the Union and conference offices of education

in matters of curriculum development. Appoint subcommittees as needed including personnel,

finance, curriculum and instruction, and marketing.

Functions of the School Board Chairperson Call and preside over board meetings Serve as consultant to the secretary in preparing board meeting

agendas. Ensure that group decision-making efforts are clear, orderly,

fair, and legal. Help keep the board meeting focused on the agenda. Ensure that the majority shall rule, while the rights of minorities

are protected.

Functions of the School Board Chairperson-2

Listen with an open mind. Ensure that no action is taken without adequate information and

preparation. Help to clarify the board-principal relationship. Display good manners. Declare executive session when appropriate. Become acquainted with the school program and confer with

the administrator on items pertaining to the operation of the school

School Board ChairpersonSchool Board Chairperson-what you are not responsible for-what you are not responsible for

Personnel supervision and evaluation Acting or speaking unilaterally for the board or the

school. Hiring, firing, or disciplining of teachers or staff. If

there are problems, or concerns with the teacher(s), contact the office of education.

Functions of the Executive Secretary-Principal or Head Teacher

Prepare agendas for board meetings in consultation with board chairperson.

Keep accurate written record of each meeting in a permanent file.

Distribute copies of the board minutes following each meeting. Approved board minutes are to be sent to the office of education.

Generate the board’s necessary correspondence. Notify the conference office of education of board meeting

dates.

Functions of the Treasurer To keep financial records in harmony with conference policies To implement school board policy regarding tuition billing and

collections. To pay authorized bills. To present a complete financial report at each board meeting.

Copies to be sent to the office of education. Present the financial records to the conference auditors when

requested. Present the recommendations of the auditors to the school

board.

Functions of the Church Pastor

Positive leadership and support of Adventist education. Church involvement in the financial support of the school. Encouragement of effective parent/teacher/pupil relationship. Assisting in establishing and maintaining the spiritual

atmosphere of the school. Involvement as a spiritual counselor and resource person. Recognizing the school administrator and staff as educational

leaders. Fulfilling an advisory role to the school board and staff.

Positive Administration-BoardRelationships

Perform your tasks as a board member and allow the admin. to manage the day-to-day operations of the school.

Recognize that the educational training and experience of the administrator has equipped him with the knowledge and skill to deal with most administrative matters.

Give careful consideration to all suggestions. The administrator deserves prior knowledge of all concerns to be

discussed at the board meetings. Discuss improprieties in private. When making evaluations, create a balance between strengths

and weaknesses. Analyze the problem, not the person.

Who are you responsible to?Who are you responsible to? Conference Executive Committee Conference K-12 Board of Education Conference Office of Education Local School Constituency

Who are you responsible to?Who are you responsible to?Who are you responsible to?Who are you responsible to?

Conference Executive Committee Conference K-12 Board of Education Conference Office of Education Local School Constituency

Let’s look at each of these organizations

Conference Executive CommitteeConference Executive Committee

Has the final authority, as granted by the conference constituency to oversee all aspects of the conference program.

Has delegated selected functions relating to education to the Conference K-12 Board.

Conference K-12 BoardConference K-12 Board

This board oversees all aspects of the educational program within the conference.

Has delegates selected functions to local school boards.

CAUTION!!!!

CAUTION!!! Although the K-12 Board has delegated certain

functions to the school board, it can’t divest itself of its inherent legal obligations. Inasmuch as the conference remains legally

bound by school board actions, it is imperative that close cooperation remain

between the the school board and the conference K-12 Board in school operation and personnel actions.

Conference Office of EducationConference Office of Education

The Superintendent of Schools works with the local school boards on behalf of the K-12 Board.

The Office of Education ensures compliance with the policies, and procedures stated in Conf & Union Policy.

All personnel discussions or decisions must be made in the presence on Office of Education personnel.

Conducts NAD school evaluations of K-10 schools.

Local School ConstituencyLocal School Constituency Reviews reports of the schools operations Considers plans and policies for school operations Provides adequate finances for school operating Approving financial plans for major capital improvements as

recommended by the conference board of education or the school board.

Encouraging the development and maintenance of a strong Home and School Association.

Establishing and adopting a constitution, in harmony with denominational policies, that defines the principles and guidance by which the school shall operate.

A school board member has no authority except

when functioning as a part of the board at a properly convened school board

meeting.

Code of Ethics Maintain principles of honesty, trust, fairness and integrity. Base decisions on the philosophy and mission of the SDA

educational system. Demonstrate attitudes and personal conduct that reflect

the principles of the SDA church. Diligently work to improve the understanding and support

of Adventist education. Learn and practice the art of comprise without sacrificing

principle.

Code of Ethics-2 Support and practice the civil rights of all members of the

school community. Recognize that the authority of the board is only expressed

by its actions as a board. Individual member may speak or act on behalf of the board only when authorized to do so by the board.

Engage in no personal action that will compromise the school system, the board, or the administration.

Avoid all conflicts of interests. Base your decisions on facts and your independent judgment.

Code of Ethics-3 Work with the board members in a spirit of unity,

cooperation, and Christian courtesy. Uphold all board decisions, regardless of any

personal disagreements. Maintain confidentiality of all matters. Recognize that your responsibility is not to run the

school but, together with your fellow board members to see that it is run well.

Code of Ethics-4 Refer all complaints to the school

administration/head teacher. Be supportive in school programs by

attending It is the expectation that each school board

member, who has eligible children, should have them enrolled in the local SDA school.

A board member must be a member of the SDA church

Effective Board MembershipEffective Board Membership

Effective Board MembershipBecome familiar with board policies, budgets, curriculum, discipline

procedures, school law, school calendar, grievance models, etc.Know where to find information. Union & Conference Codes,

school manuals, minutes from past meetings.Maintain a notebook-school’s mission statement, budget, school

constitution, Handbook for School Board MembersBe interested in ALL parts of the program-not only one area.Do not allow your personal biases to evolve into prejudice or

discrimination!Be cautious of your own expertise. Listen with an open mind.

Respect for others is Christian.

Effective Board Meetings

Effective Board Meetings

Effective board meetings Effective board meetings are properly organized and are properly organized and

structured.structured.

Effective Board Procedures Design a procedure for setting the agenda-How do things get placed on

the agenda? By whom? Pull no surprises! Stick to the agenda, be prepared. The board chair and the principal should discuss the agenda prior to the

meeting. Keep administrative items off the agenda. Send the agenda, and supporting information to board members before the

meeting. Keep meetings short! Cluster similar topics so members can focus their

energy in one direction. Board meetings generally are considered to be open meetings, but certain

issues should be dealt with in executive session.

The Board in Session Board meetings should begin and end on time. Board members have a responsibility to be prepared. An orderly method should be established when staff, constituents,

and students request to be heard in the meeting Discussion should remain focused on the topic. Non-pertinent

discussion should be ruled out of order. It’s the chair’s responsibility to prioritize the agenda. The chair should recognize members and give them the floor to

speak to the issue. When presiding as the chair, recognize those who have not spoken

previously and those with alternate points of view.

The Board in Session-2 Avoid speaking a second time on the same motion if someone else

wishes to speak for the first time When speaking, address issues not personalities. Do not interrupt.

Be brief. The chair should keep the meeting moving, don’t let it drag out. If you have a conflict of interest, tell the chair immediately. Do not

participate in discussion, ask the recording secretary to note you abstained from the vote. You may need to leave the meeting temporarily so others may speak freely.

Create a cooperative, rather than competitive environment. It is important for the chair to state the motion clearly before the vote.

Parliamentary Procedure When making a motion or speaking to an issue, address the

chair. Only one motion is to be considered at a time. The chair will ask for a second to the motion and, if granted, will

proceed with the discussion. School boards can entertain short introductory discussions

before motions are made. A motion may require amendment during the discussion phase.

The amendment must be seconded and voted on before the motion may be voted.

Reference-General Conference Rules of Order

Executive Session When discussing any person, staff or student, the chair should

declare executive session. During executive session ALL non members MUST leave the

room. If they will not leave, the meeting must be adjourned. Any issues discussed in executive session may not be talked

about out of the meeting. Board members may be personally responsible for liable if they break this confidence.

The board secretary must send copies of the executive session minutes to the conference office.

Whenever the board discusses teachers or staff, a member of the conference office education department must be present.

Boards set policy and leave Boards set policy and leave matters of day-to-day matters of day-to-day

implementation of policyimplementation of policy to the administration.to the administration.

Effective schools occur when the administration and board

do excellent jobs in their respective roles and do not get

involved in each other’s responsibilities.

Governance Model vs Management ModelGovernance Model vs Management ModelManagement Styles

Deals with long term issues-enables productivity & engages in creating vs. approving

Deals with the future-force forward thinking Cradles Vision-think the unthinkable and dream Explicitly addresses fundamental values-be guardian of organizational

values Sets policy Deals with issues Lets the administration do its job-balances overcontrol and undercontrol Defines board and administrative accountability Be obsessed with effects on people-primary concern-benefits for people

Governance Model vs Management ModelGovernance Model vs Management Model Dare to be bigger than yourself-leaders lead-Empower others Respect your words-make policies explicit, concise, and non-repetitive Invest in selection and training-define board process policy Monitor CEO performance-CEO can expect board to play by the rules Surmount conventional wisdom-why do we do what we do Develop board evaluation-What did we want to accomplish? Are we

achieving it? How do we know? Perpetually redefine quality

– view past as inspiration not an impediment– pursue excellence more than solve problems– realize that good begets better– excellence begins in the board room

Management Styles

Relationship Among Board Members

Effective members are continually learning. Never believe that you know it all.

Realize that not all problems are totally solvable. When in the minority during board discussion, maintain your

position without feeling guilty, but publicly support majority vote. Recognize the difference between asking good questions and

questioning every comment. Support one another and act as a group.

Curriculum and Instruction

Board functions include :– funding a commitment to learning– reviewing administrative reports– adopting curriculum & instruction policies– establishing educational goals and providing for

curriculum leadership– assisting in professional staff development– being aware of instructional innovations– overseeing adequate staff evaluations

Boards can support curriculum Teacher input should be sought in curriculum or instructional

improvement programs Request reports on what is happening in curriculum If a school contemplates a curriculum innovation-the

superintendent must be consulted and conference policy followed. The board should be aware of new curriculum and support its on-

going development Addressing needs of students beyond the regular program should

be a concern of the board to assure quality education of all students

Adoption of materials other than listed in the Lake Union textbook list should follow Lake Union Conference guidelines

The EndThe End

Designed and Produced forMichigan Conference of SDA

by Larry Blackmer