BB 9005 — GOVERNANCE STANDARDS

BB 9005 (a)
Bylaws of the Board

GOVERNANCE STANDARDS

These professional governance standards describe the three components vital to
effective school governance: 1) the attributes of an effective Board member, 2) the
attributes of an effective governing board, and 3) the specific jobs the Board performs in
its governance role.

The intent of these standards is to enhance the public’s understanding about the critical
responsibilities of local boards and to support boards in their efforts to govern
effectively.

I. The individual Board member:

In California’s public education system, a trustee is a person elected or appointed
to serve on a school district or county board of education. Individual Board
members bring unique skills, values and beliefs to their board. In order to govern
effectively, individual Board members must work with each other and the
superintendent to ensure that a high quality education is provided to each
student.

A. To be effective, an individual Board member:

1. Keeps learning and achievement for all students as the primary focus.

2. Values, supports, and advocates for public education.

3. Recognizes and respects differences of perspective and style on the
board and among staff, students, parents, and the community.

4. Acts with dignity and understands the implications of demeanor and
behavior.

5. Keeps confidential matters confidential.

6. Participates in professional development and commits the time and
energy necessary to be an informed and effective leader.

7. Understands the distinctions between Board and staff roles and
refrains from performing management functions that are the
responsibility of the superintendent and staff.

8. Understands the authority rests with the Board as a whole and not with
individuals.
 BB 9005 (b)
Governance Standards (cont.)

II. The Board

School districts and county offices of education are governed by boards, not by
individual board members. While understanding their separate roles, the Board
and Superintendent work together as a “governance team.” This team assumes
collective responsibility for building unity and creating a positive organizational
culture in order to govern effectively.

A. To operate effectively, the Board must have a unity of purpose and:

1. Keep the District focused on learning and achievement for all
students.

2. Communicate a common vision.

3. Operate openly, with trust and integrity.

4. Govern in a dignified and professional manner, treating everyone
with civility and respect.

5. Govern within board-adopted policies and procedures.

6. Take collective responsibility for the Board’s performance.

7. Periodically evaluate its own effectiveness.

8. Ensure opportunities for the diverse range of views in the
community to inform Board deliberations.

B. The Board’s jobs:

The primary responsibilities of the Board are to set a direction for the
District, provide a structure by establishing policies, ensure accountability
and provide community leadership on behalf of the district and public
education. To fulfill these responsibilities, there are a number of specific
jobs that effective boards must carry out.

C. Effective Boards:

1. Involve the community, parents, students and staff in developing a
common vision for the District focused on learning and
achievement and responsive to the needs of all students.
 BB 9005 (c)

Governance Standards (cont.)

2. Adopt, evaluate and update policies consistent with the laws and
the District’s vision and goals.

3. Maintain accountability for student learning by adopting the District
curriculum and monitoring student progress.

4. Hire and support the Superintendent so that the vision, goals and
policies of the district can be implemented.

5. Conduct regular and timely evaluations of the Superintendent
based on the vision, goals and performance of the District, and
ensure that the Superintendent holds District personnel
accountable.

6. Adopt a fiscally responsible budget based on the District’s visions
and goals and regularly monitor the fiscal health of the District.
Ensure that a safe and appropriate educational environment is
provided to all students.

7. Establish a framework for the District’s collective bargaining
process and adopt responsible agreements. Provide community
leadership on educational issues and advocate on behalf of
students and public education at the local, state and federal levels.

Chino Valley Unified School District
Policy adopted: September 18, 2008