LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

Citizen oversight of local government is the cornerstone of democracy in the United States. We use it for our cities, counties, water districts, libraries and many other public entities. It's appropriate, then, that we entrust the governance of our schools to citizens elected by their communities. Today, nearly 3,700 people volunteer their time in order to provide direction and oversight to Missouri's public schools.

What school boards do is truly important. School boards don't manage our public schools; they govern them. But what does that mean in everyday practice? The board's role is divided into four broad areas of responsibility:

Establishing a vision for the community's schools. Of all the roles and responsibilities of school boards, none is more important than ensuring that a long-term vision is established for the school district. The vision set the direction for the school district, driving every aspect of the district's programmatic and budget decisions, ensuring that students have what they need to achieve their potential.

Connecting with the owners. The board is the bridge or the link between the owners (the public) and the school district. This connection is a job only the board can perform. Specifically the board should serve as an advocate for students, personnel and the school district; communicate the shared vision with the community and build partnerships with the community.

Establishing an effective and efficient structure for the school district through policy. The board is responsible for establishing and maintaining a structure that supports the vision. Guided by the vision, the board sets district goals, hires and evaluates the superintendent, adopts policies for school district governance, establishes expectations for student achievement, and adopts and monitors the budget.

Ensuring accountability to the public. The board is ultimately accountable to the public for the results of its schools. The primary focus for any school board must be student achievement and the board's efforts must be directed toward the constant improvement of student achievement.

Serving on a school board is, without question, an investment of time and energy. Most board members agree, however, that the personal satisfaction they gain far outweighs the inconveniences associated with the job.

If you have not ever done so, now may be the time for you to consider service on your local board of education. In Missouri, filing for the April school board elections opens December 22 and closes on January 19. Call the Missouri School Boards Association office at (573) 445-9920 and we will be glad to send you a copy of our guide for school board candidates. You can also find information on school board service by visiting our web site at www.msbanet.org.

If you wait for someone else to do it, it may not get done.

Sincerely,

Carter Ward

Executive Director

Missouri School Boards Association