Transcript Michigan Conference Office of Education

Michigan Conference
Office of Education
School Board
Orientation
Larry Blackmer,
Associate Superintendent of Schools,
Michigan Conference of SDA
Why
are we here?
What are our
responsibilities?
Whom do we serve?
How do we manage?
Mission of SDA
Education
 The primary aim of SDA education is to provide
opportunity for students to accept Christ as their Savior, to
allow the Holy Spirit to transform their lives, and to fulfill
the commission of preaching the gospel to all the world.
 The education program is predicated on the belief that each
student is unique and of inestimable value, and on the
importance of the development of the whole person.
Students are educated to accept service as a way of life, to
be sensitive to the needs of the people in the home and
society, and to become active members in the church.
“The greatest object of education is to
enable us to use the powers
which God has given us in such a
manner as will best represent
the religion of the Bible and to
promote the glory of God.”
Fund. of Education. 45
The board member will
become the best he or
she can be if the
cause of Christ is
the cause that
motivates all actions
and decisions.
Organizational
Structure
General Conference of SDA
5,404 Schools
906,755 Students
45,614 Teachers
North American Division
K-12
66,164 Students
50,464 K-8
15,701 9-12
1155 Schools
95 Academies
150 Jr. Acad.
909 Elem.
5,791 Teachers
Lake Union
121 Schools
315 Teachers
95 Elem.
18 Junior Acad.
8 Academies
5,476 Students
Michigan Conference
2,617 Students
1,896 Elem.
110 Junior Acad.
611 Academy
55 Schools
40 Elementary
12 Junior Acad.
3 Academy
183 Teachers
GC
NAD
Organizational Structure
Union Exec
Union Bd of Ed
Conf Exec
Conf Bd of Ed
NAD Educ
Union Educ
Conf Educ
School
Constituency
School
Board
Sch. Admin
Teachers
Students
Parents
Role of the
School Board
School Board
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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

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 Chairperson
-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
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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
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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
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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-Board
Relationships
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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?
Conference
Executive Committee
Conference K-12 Board of Education
Conference Office of Education
Local School Constituency
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 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 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 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 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 Membership
Effective Board Membership
Become 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 Members
Be 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
are properly organized and
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
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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
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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
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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
matters of day-to-day
implementation of policy
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.
Management Styles
Governance Model vs Management Model
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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
Management Styles
Governance Model vs Management Model
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Dare to be bigger than yourself-leaders lead-Empower others
Respect your words-make policies explicit, concise, and nonrepetitive
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
Relationship Among Board Members
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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
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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
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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 End
Designed and Produced for
Michigan Conference of SDA
by Larry Blackmer