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After a year of exploration and discussion, the Bellingham School District Board of Directors will begin phasing in a policy governance model beginning in September, 2009.
“This marks more than two years of study and work by the School Board,” said Board President Steve Schoenfeld. “We are committed to a system that benefits our school community. This model has been used by a growing number of cities, profit and nonprofit organizations, and school districts nationwide."
Policy Governance®, authored by John Carver, Ph.D., applies a specific set of concepts and principles to the leadership role of boards and the board-management partnership. Under this model a School Board, acting for its constituents:
• Clarifies the Role of the Board… The purpose of the Board of Directors, acting as the district’s primary link with its ‘owners’, is to set policy which ensures the district achieves desired results while avoiding unacceptable conditions.
• …and that of the Superintendent. The Superintendent’s role under Policy Governance is to achieve desired ends as defined in policy, while avoiding means (also defined in policy) which the Board considers unacceptable.
• Follows a Disciplined Process and clarifies the Board/Executive Relationship. Policy Governance follows a set of principles* (written into policy) which ensure an effective balance between Board and administrator authority.
• Defines Ends for the District. Under Policy Governance, desired results are written in policy as Ends to be achieved (accomplishing a good, for beneficiaries, at a measurable cost).
• Exercises Self-Discipline. The Board can change its policy at any time, as it has ultimate authority for the district, but it has an obligation to follow a disciplined process in carrying out that authority. Board members exercise no authority as individuals, and the Board ‘speaks’ only via written policy, directing only the Superintendent.
The ten principles of Policy Governance are as follows:
1. The Board stands in for constituents, those who morally ‘own’ the district.
2. The Board speaks with one voice, or not at all.
3. The Board directs the Superintendent via policy, expressing in writing the values of the community.
4. The Board instructs no staff except the Superintendent.
5. Policies are written for Ends (what is to be achieved) and Means (all other issues).
6. Ends policies are defined positively (telling the Superintendent what is to be achieved).
7. Means are defined negatively (what means are unacceptable, and should therefore be avoided).
8. The Board sets expectations first in terms of broadly expressed values, then through progressively more detailed policies.
9. The Board may change the level of specificity in its policies at any time.
10. The Board evaluates the Superintendent only against criteria written in policy.
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