When Boards Behave Badly . . .

Originally posted on The Christian School Journal.


When Boards Behave Badly, Trust is Broken
Mr. Bill McGee (Headmaster, Hill Country Christian School of Austin)

If one were to conduct a nation-wide poll of non-public school leaders asking them to identify the greatest threat to the health, stability, and future of their schools, undoubtedly there would be a myriad of opinions. Negative influences such as a toxic youth culture, dysfunctional families, unreasonable parent demands, rising tuition rates, a shortage of qualified teachers, and the emergence of charter schools and home-schooling would certainly make the top ten list of concerns for most non-public school administrators. Indeed, these trends and issues have been the subjects of articles published in leading educational journals for years.

Yet, as difficult and perplexing as these challenges are, they are not the greatest menace to our non-public schools. No, the most serious threat to our schools may be their own governing boards. A lack of knowledge, understanding, and application of sound governing principles, what the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) calls “Principles of Good Practice”, poses the greatest danger to the health and stability of non-public schools. When boards behave badly, when they are guilty of unethical practices, when personal agendas emerge, and when shortsighted decision-making is the norm, a trust is broken and the entire school community suffers. It is time for regional accrediting associations and professional membership organizations to do more than publish another article urging school boards to invest in their own development. Serious threats call for serious measures.

Click here to read the rest of the post - including a list of propositions to be considered regarding board development and board accountability.