Establishing Common Expectations
SAMPLE EXPECTATIONS
Superintendent Expectations of the Board
- Be open to new ideas.
- Be advocates for education in the community; engage in vigorous public relations on behalf of the district.
- Be well prepared for meetings; read materials that are provided before hand.
- Request information on issues before Board meetings.
- Allow Superintendent to do the job for which she/he was hired.
- No surprises; provide information on community concerns; report rumors.
- No hidden agendas.
- Operate as a team; avoid factionalism.
- Be concerned with education for all students; avoid single issue politics.
- Do not deal with problems on a personal basis.
- Do not answer for the Board as an individual; defend the policies of the whole Board.
- Publicly support the Superintendent and the Board especially after a decision.
- Leave Superintendent out of the politics of the Board.
- Do not jump to conclusions/decisions; wait for the facts.
- Be up front about concerns about Superintendent; no talking behind back.
- Do not go around the Superintendent.
- Have a basic understanding of parliamentary procedures and school law.
- Promote unity within the Board.
- Do not try to be an administrator.
- Contribute facts and information to policymaking processes.
- Do not ask Superintendent to mediate between and among Board members.
- Call Superintendent first on issues.
- Accept that Superintendent will make some mistakes.