Putting Education First

By Bob Goodman

We are being faced with the realities of shrinking revenues as well as unfunded state mandates. We are also faced with aging school facilities and increasing technological demands. We must create a proactive plan to use all available resources within our system and supplement these with alternate sources of revenue with a focus on maintaining our excellent quality of education. This will be a daunting task that will require the Board to have a focus on educational priorities.

In addition, the district could be faced with the hiring of a new superintendent during the term of this Board position. This is one of the most important responsibilities of the Board. Again, a focus is needed to accomplish this goal. It will be difficult to hire a qualified individual to fill that position if there is not a proven record of the Board's desire to work effectively with the superintendent.

In the publication by the Ohio School Boards Association, Do You Want to Serve Your Community and Its Children, it is stated that:

•The Board acts as a link between the schools and the public
•The Board does not manage day-to-day operations of the district
•The Board avoids administrative decisions or attempts to second-guess the administration
•The reputation of the entire district is reflected in his or her (Board member's) behavior and attitude.

Is this what we see happening today? I believe the Board needs to reflect on these ideals and create an environment conducive to effective management. These are the things that I can bring to the table to create a more effective, cooperative Board of Education

•Be a thoughtful listener to the learning community (students, teachers, administration, parents, taxpayers, and other Board members)
•Be a facilitator of team interaction
•Be a leader in creating policies that are administered by school professionals
•Be a positive role model for the community.