In fact, this step may be necessary to determine whether the problem has indeed been stated accurately. One of the most useful sources of information available to boards doing problem solving is their own policy manual. Team members should always see what current policies have to say about handling a situation in question. The policies may already provide a solution. If the situation being addressed is one that happens with some regularity, consider adding a policy to guide administrators in dealing with similar situations in the future.
Information is available from a variety of other sources, as well.
Generally, since board decision making involves acting on administrator recommendations, boards will not be directly involved in this step. However, when trustees do discover information that may be relevant to a decision coming up, that information should be shared with the superintendent to distribute to all members. When asking the superintendent to research or provide information for problem solving, it is the board s responsibility to be as specific as possible in stating what questions need to be answered. This will help ensure that information collected is relevant to the current problem or situation requiring a decision and is presented in a form that is understandable and concise. List possible solutions.