Successful negotiations are more likely to occur if a suitable climate exists. Five general elements influence this climate: (1) The history of working relationships among teachers, administrators, and board of education members, (2) the current status of these relationships, (3) the pressures from emerging teacher organizational changes, (4)…

Factors involved in conducting an effective search for a college or university president are analyzed. Emphasized are issues to be resolved with respect to defining the role of the board of trustees, outgoing president, consultant, and search committee. A series of recommendations are set forth that cover the entire search process beginning with…

This paper discusses three related studies conducted in California in the mid-1960s that investigated factors related to incumbent defeat in school board of elections and turnover in the school superintendency. The first study dealt with turnover in the superintendency subsequent to defeat of a single incumbent board member; a significant…

The school board as a governing body for education is essentially unique to the United States. Other countries in recent years have adopted forms of local citizen participation in school affairs. None of these practices has approached the American School Board in historical significance or contemporary meaning. This paper, prepared for use as a…

In this booklet, the author describes both the changing role of the school superintendent and nine ways in which today's administrators differ from their predecessors. He also discusses the role of the school attorney (1) as an advisor at law, (2) as a counselor on governance, and (3) as an attorney in litigation. (JF)

A confidential survey revealed these complaints: governing boards too often are oblivious to financial problems; multicampus boards are remote and uninterested; there is too little time to do everything; inherited staff do not always cooperate; women presidents have a special problem in the hostess role. (Editor/LBH)

School boards should recognize that school administrators steer away from boards that (1) are consistently divided, (2) do not respect confidentiality, (3) are close-minded, and (4) do not adhere to the line between setting school policy and administering policy. (MLF)

A review is presented of the survival skills every school board member should possess. These fall into two main categories: boardroom manners and the relationship between board members and other groups. Included are eight key constituencies and advice for dealing with each. (TE)

Offers advice to school board members regarding the collective bargaining process. Suggests actions the board can take to develop bargaining guidelines and a labor relations program. Presents a sample conversation between a school board member and a union representative. (IW)

The Commission on Strengthening Presidential Leadership finds that the college president's role to ensure the overall and long-term welfare of institutions has often been diminished, and all campus constituencies should reexamine the conditions surrounding the presidential role. (MSE)

Outlines 11 essential qualities needed in a good school board president. (MD)

New school board members can prepare themselves to be effective board members by studying board policies, minutes of past board meetings, and contracts of each employee group; by asking questions; and by learning the legal responsibilities of the board. (MLF

The chief academic officer (CAO) must be prepared to deal with a variety of developing relationships, priorities, problems, and potentials. CAOs who survive and are successful must monitor development in many directions. (Author/MLW)

College and university trustees have important responsibilities in planning for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. In their oversight role, especially in the areas of planning and finance, they need to ensure that the institution has taken the prudent and necessary steps to reduce risk to the extent possible and to maximize the…

As colleges and universities attempt to produce additional revenue and enhance their services, more are entering into contracts with private companies. Some agreements involve lengthy commitments, and this means that outsourcing contracts require thorough review by boards of trustees, which are being called upon to act with greater diligence to…