East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1957-10-24

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1. to formulate policies for
governing the schools
2. to approve plans for carry
ing out these established
policies
3. to approve, the workability
| of the policies and the effec-
tiveness of the plans, and
| 4. to delegate the response
bility for the administration
| Of these policies and plans
to the boards chief execu-
tive officer. the superin-
tendent of schools.
These policies help realize the
schools many goals-the general
nature of the educational program
and services to be provided, the
rules and regulations governing
personnel, the school facilities to
be provided, and the amount of
money to be spent. Since the
board of education is not an ad-
ministrative body, it should ~
select a competent chief admins
trative officer, (2) delegate all
administrative responsibilities to
him and the staff, and (3) ap-
praise the effectiveness of serv-
| ices rendered.
EFFECTIVE PROCEDURES
FOR SCHOOL. POAPnC
To do we'll its job of policy
making and appraisal, a good
board of education, emphasizes
the following procedures:
(1) The board identifies itself
closely with the people Of the
school district. Individually and
collectively, board members seek
to know the community and to
keep in close contact with all Of
the people. The board looks upon
itself not only as an agency for
legalizing educational policies and
plans but also as the agency
through which the educational
ideals Of the PEOPLE will become
realities.
(2) The board encourages wide
participation Of the people, in the
consideration Of educational issues
1t feels the need to utilize citi-
zens, members of the professional
staff. and outside consultants in
reaching decisions about the
schools, and thus encourages pro-
posals and criticisms from every
source and oives careful attention
TO them. 1t helps groups to organ
ize end discuss problems relating
to the schools. It invites people to
attnnd meetings.
(3l The board projects its pur-
nose and plans well into the future.
1t will develop long-term programs
extending 5. 10, or even % years
into the future. A board of edu-
c"tion must deal primarily in
Futures" for the children of to-
day will be the adults of the
future. Decisions made today will
set the course Of education for
MANY years. With such situation
comes the necessity to project
educational policy and plans. This
projection demands careful gather
ing of pertinent facts. forecastin"
events indicated by the facts, and
then making the appropriate de-
cisions to shape the educational
future of the schools of the district.
accomplishing this goal effectivel'
often demands courageous action
az The board puts first hing
first. 1t treats matters according
to their relative Importance to the
total educational undertaking.. Fo-
example, the board may find
necessary to determine the c'larac-
teristics of good educational
program before it tackles any
thing else; the business affairs of
school system are, Of course
important but they are less inr
portant when compared to formu-
lstine educational program policy.
The, board must direct its major
attention to the. educational serv-
ices needed, rather than to lthe.
dollars expended. 1t must. or
course. make sure that 100 cents
Of educational return is obtained
for every dollar spent; but the
quantity and quality of educational
opportunity to be provided remains
the boards basic concern.
90 The board differentiates be-
tween its own functions and those
of the superintendent of schools.
Although the board decides the
policies, general plans, rules and
regulations for the school system,
it does not attempt to admins
ter these policies, plans, and
regulations. The administration
responsibility is delegated to the
superintendent of schools. The
board does, however, have the i'm
portant job of appraising the
effectiveness of the work of the
professional employees to whom it
delegates responsibilities.
Being school board member
means enjoying a position of
leadership in a public undertak-
ing of paramount Importance. 1t
is a position of responsibility that :
affects the lives Of many people.
1t is hoped that the few sugges- :;
tions presented here will help
lead the way to smoother, easier
journey to the realization of every
board members goal.