Following college football is a favorite pastime for me and my extended family. I went to my first college football game more than 40 years ago. Through the many seasons of following my favorite team (Go Cougs!), I've learned a thing or two about the game.
As with any team sport, champions are made up of individuals who have a common goal and do their best to excel in their respective responsibilities. If there are individuals on a team who are more concerned about their own glory rather than the success of the team, weaknesses are exposed and magnified which makes it difficult for team success and fan support.
School boards are not unlike sports teams. Boards must learn their own set of rules and responsibilities--open meeting laws, ethics, district policy, and good governance models are among the many plays in the playbook. There can be a lot to learn and understand to be an effective team player on a school board, and when a board works together, the championship comes in the form of success for all students.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our annual conference where we will have the opportunity to learn how to be “Champions for Public Education.” We have several wonderful speakers lined up to coach us. We will also have the opportunity to learn from one another.
My hope is that before the conference, each of us can reflect on what it means to be a champion for public education and then at the conference seek to learn how to be a better board member and board team for the sake of the students in our districts.
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