My primary responsibilities as a school board member include:

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The board's most important job is hiring and holding accountable the superintendent. We don't manage the day-to-day operations of the district - that's why we hire a skilled superintendent. But we are responsible for ensuring the superintendent leads effectively, implements our policies, and moves the district in the right direction. This means regular evaluation, clear expectations, and honest accountability.

 

We set policy that guides the entire district. This includes curriculum standards, financial policies, personnel policies, and operational guidelines. These policies create the framework within which our administrators and teachers work. Good policy protects students, empowers staff, and ensures consistency across the district.

 

The board approves the budget and major financial decisions. We don't line-item every expense - the superintendent and his team manage those details. But we set spending priorities, approve the overall budget, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely and transparently. We also approve significant contracts, property decisions, and facility improvements.

 

We have oversight responsibility for curriculum and educational outcomes. This means ensuring our students receive excellent instruction rooted in core academics, monitoring student achievement data, and making sure our curriculum aligns with our community's values and state standards.

 

Finally, we approve key hires recommended by the superintendent, particularly administrative positions that shape the direction of our schools.

 

What good governance looks like:

 

Good school board members understand the difference between governance and management. Day-to-day operational details - staffing decisions, vendor selections, individual employee matters - fall under the superintendent's authority. Our job is to set the vision, establish policies, and hold leadership accountable, not to micromanage the district.

 

Good governance also means being accessible to constituents while directing concerns to the right place. If you have questions about district policy, budget priorities, or overall direction, I want to hear from you. If you have concerns about what's happening in a specific classroom or building, those concerns are best directed to the principal or superintendent's office first, where they can be addressed quickly and effectively.

 

I take this responsibility seriously. My goal is to be an engaged, informed, and trustworthy board member who focuses on what matters most: excellent education, fiscal responsibility, and transparent governance that serves every student in Goshen Community Schools.