Onboarding new members

[Melinda Leising]

I'm finishing my second year as President and we have two new members starting in July. 

I'm wondering what others do for onboarding, in addition to the state-mandated training. 

I've put together a list of things I think they should know about how our board operates, what to expect before and during meetings, etc. 

Any advice would be appreciated. 

[Vanessa Warren]

We have a specific procedure in our board protocols with mentorship and an onboarding training session very similar to what James Governali listed in this thread. It has been very successful. We have two new members this year and they have been attending meetings regularly to watch what we do and develop their own questions.

[Paul Haggett]

The NYSSBA New School Board Member guide is a great resource. I also led an effort to create a BOE operations manual that is more specific to our local procedures, but also touches on many of the best practices listed in the NYSSBA booklet. If that is of interest, ask this group for examples. I borrowed from Clarence, Brewster and Roxbury board manuals to write ours, all of which were eagerly shared by their board leaders!

[Andrea Randle]

I shared this information back in July regarding another question. But it may be helpful here as well:
"NYSSBA has a 2 page document called "16 Tenets of the Effective Board-Administrative Leadership Team". I have shared this document yearly with my Board since becoming the President. It has great info for both the Board and the Superintendent." If anyone would like it please email me at [e-mail] because I cannot figure out how to upload it here.

[Karen Burka]

Our Board Onboarding Policy includes providing new board members with a mentor (either the Board Pres or VP), and a post-election meeting with the Supt and Asst Supts. We also always do a board retreat in the summer to help newer members get up to speed.

[James Governali]

We just completed (with help from NYSSBA) and adopted our board operating procedures so it is all laid out in there. Here is a snippet from the section: Onboarding new members:

1.New board members are legally required to fulfill the state mandated training within the first year of holding
office, as well as the option to participate in other training opportunities to enhance boardsmanship.
2. New board member orientation at the local district should begin shortly after the date a new board member
is elected.
3. The superintendent, the board president, and/or at least one incumbent board member participates in the
orientation. Additional administrative staff members may also be included to present specific information
about the district.
4. Local orientation includes, but is not limited to:
a. General district information, such as:
 Geographic area included and number of square miles.
 Campus attendance boundaries.
 Number of students, teachers, and other employees.
 Number of campuses and their enrollments.
 Student demographics, including trend data.
 Administrative structure and directory of key personnel.
 Ongoing issues of interest to residents.
 Organizational chart.

b. Overview of district programs and operations, such as:
 District vision, mission, goals, and plans including:
i. District planning and evaluation process and board activity calendar.
ii. Most recent school reports, report cards, and district annual financial report.
 District budget overview including:
i. Current adopted budget summary.
ii. Recent trends in revenue, appropriations, tax rates, property values.
 Overview of district curriculum objectives, standards, and instructional programs.
 Copy of the policy manual or link to online access.
 Superintendent performance goals, current superintendent evaluation instrument, process, and
calendar.
 Copy of district’s strategic plan.

c. Information about board operations, including:
 Overview of roles and responsibilities of the board and superintendent.
 Calendar of training opportunities.
 Current board goals.
 Calendar of district events.
 Current team operating procedures, meeting norms and ground rules.
 A copy of this document.
5. The board president will meet with new members to explain a typical board meeting and the board packet.
6. Newly elected board members will be supported throughout the first year of service with ongoing
professional development and may include mentoring by a veteran board member.