School Board Meeting Reports

I truly enjoyed reading your board meeting reports.  To the casual observer, a board meeting is just a nice meeting of community and school individuals who want to make a good school for kids to learn in.  However, board meetings are district politics at their finest!  Every action, word, or gesture has political ramifications, just beneath the surface.
--What does it mean when two board members continue to hold a side conversation, complete with laughter, during the entire board meeting?
--What does it mean when one or a few board members seem to dominate?
--What does it mean if the board cuts the superintendent out of the discussion?
--What does it mean if there is a lot of community discussion and input?
--What does it mean if there is no community discussion or input? (remember the dangers of a closed decision-making system? --a video I posted awhile back)
--What does it mean if the meeting is extremely formal...or informal?
--What does it mean if legalities are ignored?
--What does it mean if the superintendent appears to be the "producer of information" instead of part of the Team of 8?
--What does it mean if the educators who present reports to the board are challenged, received collegially, ignored...by the board?
--What does it mean if a board member challenges a presenter, and the presenter must defend himself/herself without the assistance of an assistant superintendent or superintendent?

The health of the district, the longevity of the superintendent, the working conditions for teachers and principals---all these can be discerned with careful attention at the board meetings, but it takes practice!  Attend as many meetings as you can and you'll learn lots.

And have a great weekend!
Dr. O