The Board Culture Shift Every Successful School Needs

When it comes to the governing boards for independent and faith-based schools, the belief in “One Board, One Voice” is a compelling, best-practices concept that should be the focus of every board. Unfortunately, we live in a culture that all too often embraces conflict as the best way to resolve issues. Will such an approach, or strategy, really advance the school and enhance the experience of the students we serve?

A governing board can strive for uniformity or unity. These are easily confused, and at times they may be indistinguishable by some. But they are quite different. Uniformity only means “sameness.” Each member saying the same thing, or even a prescribed set of talking points, and little more. Because independent and faith-based school governing boards are counted on for very specific strategic roles and responsibilities, the desire for the idea of sameness, or “uniformity,” is not a best practice.

Unity, on the other hand, acknowledges the unique variety of personalities, skillsets, expertise, and knowledge found on any board that is functioning at a strategic level. Each board member may have different passions, and each brings distinctive insight to issues great and small. By no means is this a weakness. On the contrary, a board with diversity that is working together, focused on common goals and a shared vision, can speak and act with a strong sense of unity and a powerful sense of purpose.

When the board members, the chair, and head of school are unified, the faculty, staff, students, and families will know this. The school is stronger and remains poised to accomplish its mission, and can reasonably expect to plan its future with optimism.