Reflection and self-evaluation critical components in effective leadership
Kentucky School Advocate
April 2023
By Karen Byrd
KSBA President
Just a couple of weeks ago, I presided over my first meeting as KSBA’s 48th president. I was proud to welcome other members of the association’s board of directors to my neck of the woods, northern Kentucky, for our March meeting and planning retreat. We gathered together at the Ignite Institute in Erlanger, an educational crown jewel of the region and a perfect place to collaborate, problem solve, ask thoughtful questions and lay the foundation for KSBA’s bright future.
As part of our retreat, we did something that all leaders should do from time to time. We took a long look at ourselves in the mirror. Members of KSBA’s board recently participated in a comprehensive self-evaluation survey. The online survey, administered earlier this school year, was developed to monitor the pulse of KSBA’s governance; understanding of responsibilities, collaboration, execution of board functions, etc. We were honored to have with us as a discussion facilitator the CEO of the Florida School Boards Association. We began to unpack the results of the survey, converting raw data to real action. From this conversation, the association’s board – both individual members and the group – will identify ways to perform at a higher level. Likewise, KSBA leadership staff will use the same information to improve our means of keeping the board engaged and informed – something your own district’s administration strives to do every day.
Self-evaluation, and the reflection that comes with it, is necessary for effective school board leadership. But it can be a humbling experience. It reminds us that we’re human. It potentially reveals our imperfections. It forces us to construct a better answer than, “that’s just the way we’ve always done it.”
Consider the self-evaluation process just another facet of spring cleaning. When you clean out the garage, the space suddenly gains greater utility. When you organize your closet, you know exactly where everything is at all times. Similarly, self-evaluation allows us to take stock of our capacity as leaders, thereby improving our performance as trustees of our community’s schools.
The purpose of self-evaluation is not meant to sow seeds of doubt among your team members, or the public for that matter; instead it can be useful in combatting complacency and ensuring that the board’s vision is in tune with the strategic direction of the district.
As another whirlwind legislative session is coming to a close, some education bills passed this year could require boards to take decisive action in a timely manner like never before. Simply put, we are being asked to do more, so we must be willing to think and talk about how we elevate our own performance. I’m not talking about the decisions we’re making, but rather how we are making them. Many boards welcomed new members this past year, either from 2022 elections or through appointments, so these types of conversations are a fantastic way to solicit the insights from those who have only recently begun their public service.
As your team begins to turn its attention to next school year, think about how you might incorporate self-evaluation into your district-level planning. If you don’t know where to start, reach out to us at KSBA.