We’ve just weathered a major election season, which for many school districts also means the election of school board members. This week, a reader shares a You Can’t Make It Up moment as she welcomes a new board member!
The election results were in, and in customary fashion, the superintendent reached out to the newly elected board member to congratulate him and discuss the next steps for onboarding him to his new role starting in January.
Throughout the race, this candidate seemed like a great addition to the local school board. He was well-known in the community, a successful local businessman for many years, and a proud supporter of the school district. His own children had even graduated from the local high school. All signs pointed to an experienced, connected leader ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work.
Or so it seemed.
As the superintendent started to go over logistics—meeting dates, committees, and other onboarding essentials—it became clear that some You Can’t Make It Up moments were about to unfold.
Superintendent: “Our meetings are on Monday nights, and we’ll get some calendar invites sent out for your schedule.”
New Board Member: “Yeah, I’m not sure Monday nights are going to work for me.”
Superintendent: “Okay, well, we’ll send them, and you can let us know which ones you might not be able to attend. We’ll work it out from there.”
New Board Member: “Yeah, I don’t really have email. And I’ve never used a calendar online—or, well, really at all.”
Superintendent: “We’ll also need to get you on a couple of committees and get those meeting dates to you as well.”
New Board Member: “Oooh, I really don’t care to be on any committees.”
[INSERT AWKWARD SILENCE HERE]
This was definitely not the conversation the superintendent expected. Suddenly, a routine onboarding call turned into a mini case study on managing surprises. Now, a whole new set of questions had to be answered, starting with:
“What do you do when encountering unexpected situations with newly elected board members?”
Key Takeaways
Clarity on the Front End of Elections:
Make sure that board candidates have a basic understanding of what it means to serve on the school board. Most will seek out that information by talking with current or past board members, but don’t assume everyone will take that level of initiative. Offering a short “So, You’re Thinking About Running for School Board?” guide or informational session can save a lot of headaches later.
Board Chair Leadership:
While the superintendent plays a major part in helping board members learn their new role, the Board Chair and other board members also need to step up. They can help ease new members into the work by sharing their own experiences, especially when it comes to navigating committees and communication tools. Proactive engagement early on can prevent awkward surprises later.
Role Clarity:
Board members have a responsibility to “get on board” and adjust to the role’s expectations. This might include learning new tools like email, online calendars, or board meeting platforms. Offering onboarding workshops (maybe even more than once) and having tech support ready to assist can help make this transition smoother.
Build a “Get-to-Know-You” Process:
Relationships matter! Scheduling an informal meet-and-greet with the new board member and key leaders—like the superintendent and Board Chair—can set the stage for collaboration and allow you to uncover any challenges before they escalate. A cup of coffee and a chat can go a long way toward breaking down barriers.
Flexibility is Key (To a Point):
While accommodating new members’ needs is important, it’s also essential to establish boundaries. School boards run on collective participation, not individual convenience. Set clear expectations early about attendance, committee involvement, and engagement with board activities, and offer the necessary support to meet those expectations.
Even with the best preparation, some situations will still leave you shaking your head and muttering, “You can’t make it up! ” But with a bit of humor, some flexibility, and a strong team approach, you’ll weather the surprises and keep things moving forward.
What’s your best You Can’t Make It Up school board story? Share it in the comments!
Jane