What are the Qualifications of a School Board Member?
Some people think it is professional accomplishments that qualifies them to serve on a school board. School Boards are not like other boards, professional qualifications take a back seat to more important qualifications.
School Board Members do not run the day to day operations of a school board, so a medical doctor on the School Board, can not tell a school nurse what to do. If a school board member owns a restaurant, that would have little effect on narrational services, any more than a school board member who runs a cleaning business would tell our Educational Support Professionals how to do their job. Certainly a lawyer, could not tell a school districts legal counsel how to do their job and a CPA would instruct a business administrator on their daily task.
You have seen this with me. I have spent my life as an educator, with Masters and a Doctoral Degree in Instructional Design and Curriculum Development. The School District does not seek me out to design schools the way I want them designed. Even when the district has adopted ideas that I have advocated (Blended Learning Late Start, or Pandemic Synchronous Direct Instruction) I have not been part of the design, announcement or the implementation.
While professional accomplishments are nice, they are not the critical skills you should be looking for in a School Board Member.
What are the qualifications that are necessary to be a Great School Board Member?
A School Board Member is the “Public” in the Public Education system.
The School Board is the Bridge that links the public community to our schools. Whether you have children in school or not, YOU have a VOICE on the Jordan School Board of Education. If the School Board is the VOICE of the Public, what should you be looking for in a School Board Member?
Great School Board Members are invested in our community: A School Board should be investing in the WHOLE community. They should be available for people to call at all times, for any reason. (you should have my number in your speed dial 801-699-8017). They should be willing to visit you on any issue at any time. You should see them at community events, and committees as they help make our community a better place to be.
Great School Board Members build relationships of trust with community leaders: School Board Members often work with City Mayors, Council Members and City Staff. Additionally, School Board Members have established relationships with the Legislators, Senators and other political leaders in our community. They can work with the State School Board and other school boards in the state. Darrell has these relationships already established. Last election cycle, nearly all Community Leaders endorsed Darrell. While I have not asked for specific endorsements this year, I think if you were to ask our Community Leaders of all the Jordan School District area, most would support Darrell. He attends their meetings and often has conversations with our local leaders.
Great School Board Members have a history in school volunteering: Normally board member have significant experience in School Volunteer Organizations such as the School Community Council and the PTA. I have been on the School Community Council in at least one of my children’s schools since school community councils around the year 2000. I have served on the PTA and was President Elect of Herriman High PTA when I joined the school Board. I have served on three District Committees, Building Utilization, Calendaring and Safe Schools which I am still on. How can you govern our schools, if you have not dedicated a big part of yOUR life to volunteer work in our schools?
Great School Board Members attend School Activities: School Board members should be highly invested in ALL of our children’s activities in all of our schools. School Board Members should do more than just support their children. They should be visiting schools for the PTA Fun Runs, Assemblies, Sporting Events and other events. DARRELL can be often seen at these events. Even though DARRELL has many schools, he is there, often many events in a single night. DARRELL loves yOUTR children, as much as he loves his own.
Great School Board Members understand education: School Board members should understand education. They should show that they understand education policy from a federal, state and local level. They should know and understand what they can and can not do to bring change to our education system. They need to know what policies are laws, and what policies they can help create. Board members should not over step their governing responsibility. At the same time, an effective school board member needs to question the Status Quo by asking tough questions.
Great school board members communicate their actions to the community. I have invited members of our community and our schools into the board room with my transparency on the School Board. My community has a large presence on social media, and I think it is critical that a School Board Member are active sharing what our school district is doing. Additionally, School Board members should make theirselves available to answer questions from the public, on the phone, 801-699-8017, email DrDarrellRobinson.com or even in person.
Great school board members work as a team. No board member can do anything by theirselves. It is important that you select a school board member that has a great working relationship with other school board members and with district and school administration. WE are not always going to agree, but we can respect others ideas, and build relationships that go beyond the issues we deal with. I am part of an incredible TEAM, that is pushing the Jordan School District to become the Leaders in Education in Utah.
Great School Board Members have Passion and Vision: I think everyone knows by now, a Jordan School Board members make $48,000!!! My opponent leaves out the fact that that is over 4 years, at 30 or 40 hours a week. It works out to be about $6 to $7 dollars an hour. Rightfully so, a School Board Member is the lowest paid position in the school district. I have not taken reimbursement for my personal laptop, internet, cell phone, car expenses. I am sure when you add it all up, I pretty much break even. If you want to be a School Board Member, you need to have passion for education, love for our schools, and a vision for the future. You need to be committed and be dedicated, becomes sometimes this job is just flat out tough. I know I have lose friends, and endured threats.