How Not to Be a Terrible School Board Member

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