0310-F1 Board of Education Self-Evaluation Form

Answer below with the following: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, or Strongly Disagree.

Communication / Cooperation

1. This Board works to reach consensus on important matters.
2. The Board communicates its decision to all those who are affected by them.
3. At least yearly our Board has a retreat or special session to examine our performance, how well we are doing as a Board.
4. The Board and its members maintain channels of communication with specific key community leaders.
5. New Board members are given a welcome packet.
6. I rarely disagree openly with our Board members in Board meetings.
7. I have participated in Board discussions about the effectiveness of our performance.
8. I have participated in Board discussions with new members about the roles and responsibilities of a Board member.
9. The leadership of this Board typically goes out of its way to make sure that all members have the same information on important issues.
10. The Board President and Superintendent confer so that differences of opinion are identified.
11. The Board usually receives a full rationale for the recommendations it is asked to act upon.
12. I am able to speak my mind on key issues without fear that I will be ostracized by some members of the Board.
13. The Board is informed right away when there is a problem at a school.
14. All Board members support majority decisions.
15. Members of this Board are sometimes disrespectful in their comments to other Board members or community members.
16. Board members all receive the same information from the District office on matters of Board business.
17. The agenda is accompanied by an appropriate amount of rationale and/or appropriate back-up materials.
18. Items are not routinely added to the agenda at the last minute by Board members.
19. Any Board member can place any item on the agenda for discussion by simply submitting that item to the Superintendent or Board President before the agenda is prepared and mailed.
20. Board members publicly avoid personal confrontations with each other and the administration, and confine their comments to the item under discussion.
    
    Community Relations
21. The Board has formal structures and procedures for involving the community
22. I have received feedback on my performance as a member of this Board from community members.
23. A conscious effort is made to make the public feel welcome to attend Board meeting including providing them with copies of the agenda and Board rules.
    
    Decision Making / Planning
24. Our Board explicitly examines the "downside" or possible pitfalls of any important decision it is about to make.
25. The Board sets clear organizational priorities for the year ahead.
26. The Board will sharply question certain administrative  proposals, requiring the Superintendent to reconsider recommendations.
27. The Board is always involved in decisions that are important to the future of education in our district.
28. This Board periodically sets aside time to learn more about important issues facing school districts like the one we govern.
29. This Board has formed ad hoc committees or task forces that includes staff and community  representatives as well as Board members.
30. All of our trustees attend workshops to learn their role as trustee and get the latest information available that is important to our district.
31. When faced with an important issue, the Board often "brainstorms" and tries to generate a whole list of creative approaches or solutions to the problem
32. The Board has adopted some explicit goals for itself, distinct from goals it has for the total district.
33. The Board often requests that a decision be postponed until further information can be obtained.
34. Our Board meetings tend to focus more on current  concerns than on preparing for the future.
35. The Board often requests additional information before making a decision.
36. Before reaching a decision on important issues, this Board usually requests input from persons likely to be affected by the decision.
37. The Board spends a lot of time listening to different points of view before it votes on an important matter.
38. The Board discusses events and trends in the larger environment that may present specific opportunities for this school district.
39. Once a decision is made, all Board members work together to see that it is accepted and carried out.
40. This Board makes explicit use of the long-range priorities of this school district in dealing with current issues.
41. Board members vote their conscience, but support the majority decisions once action has been taken and approved.
42. The appropriate school personnel are present at the meeting to supply information for agenda items on an as needed basis.
    
    Leadership/ Responsibility
43. At least once a year, this Board asks that the Superintendent articulate his/her vision for the school district's future and strategies to realize that vision.
44. Board members are consistently able to hold confidential items in confidence.
45. This Board often discusses where the school district should be headed five or more years into the future.
46. The Board allocates organizational funds for the purpose of Board education and development.
47. I have been  present in Board meetings where discussions of the values of the district were key factors in reaching a conclusion on a problem.
48. We are not a "rubber stamp" Board.
49. This Board tackles issues that are ambiguous and complicated.
50. The administration reports to the Board on the concerns of those the school district serves.
51. I have been in Board meetings where the discussion focused on identifying or overcoming the school district's weaknesses.
52. Board members treat staff members in a respectful manner at all times.
53. Each Board member participates in training and professional development through conferences, conventions, workshops or webcasts.
54. Board members come to the meeting having reviewed the agenda with an understanding of the issues to be discussed and/or voted upon.
55. The Board follows its prescribed role of a policy body and does not meddle in making administrative decisions.
56. The meeting starts on time.

APPROVED 5/21/13

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