How Not to Be a Terrible School Board Member

Preface About the Author Acknowledgments I. Terrible District teamwork 1. Humiliate a District Employee in Public 2. Negotiate in Public 3. Attack the Administration in Print 4. Micromanage the Superintendent 5. Never Question the Administration 6. Solicit Complaints from Teachers and Staff 7. Ask for Special Treatment II. Terrible Board Teamwork 8. Disrespect a Fellow Board Member 9. Speak for the Board 10. Build Coalitions 11. Abstain on Tough Votes 12. Be Decisive, Don't Compromise 13. Come Unprepared to a Board Meeting 14. Do Too Much Homework III. Terrible Public Relations 15. Represent Your Supporters 16. Minimize Public Input 17. Run Your Own District Survey 18. Argue with a Hostile Speaker 19. Confide in a Reporter 20. Garner Public Support 21. Sign a Petition IV. Terrible Personal Style 22. Ignore Minor Conflicts of Interest 23. Take Political Stands 24. Use the District's Credit Card 25. Remember Your Political Party 26. Do a Favor 27. Accept Gifts 28. Radiate Negative Energy Epilogue

"The author presents powerful vignettes that successfully describe the range of behaviors, decision making, language, thinking, and actions that often consciously and unconsciously undermine the superintendent, other school officials and employees, but worst of all other board members and the important work of the board members." -- Douglas Gordon Hesbol, Superintendent "All board members volunteer to serve because they want to be effective in providing students the best education the school district can provide. Richard Mayer addresses the broad range of mistakes he has seen made by board members during his years as a board member. This is a useful resource that board members and superintendents can use to ensure the successful governance of their school districts." -- Glen Ishiwata, Superintendent "I know of no other book that addresses this particular issue at this level of specificity and breadth. District and school administrators, as well as board members, will see it as useful." -- Robert Marzano, CEO "I think the approach is brilliant. It's a grabber that every insightful board member or administrator can identify with." -- Rene Townsend, Former Superintendent "Mayer writes in an authentic and respectful manner that provides the reader with a clear understanding of what it means to be an effective board member. This is a must-read for anyone who is a current board member, aspiring to become one, or an administrator who wants to develop solid professional relationships with their board members." -- Bonnie Tryon, Past President "This is the perfect book for board members and superintendents who already have busy lives but want to make sensible, reasoned choices in their work in today's schools." -- Cindy Wilson, Associate Professor and Department Chair