How does a school board give direction to a CEO trying to adapt and deliver education, meals, safety during a pandemic? Just as it does during normal times: through policy.
 
Coherent Governance was not built for use only during calm waters. In fact, CG’s effectiveness is greater during turbulent times such as those we live in now than at any other time. During periods of crisis, organizations must be nimble enough to make decisions on the fly. If administrative leaders are forced to gain board approval before responding to life-or-death challenges, the small problems of today risk becoming out of control obstacles of tomorrow.
 
Your CEOs are being required to make immediate decisions as they adapt to circumstances most have never considered before. They are addressing the fundamental issues of safety and security of students and staff – and they must be fleet of foot.  At the same time, they need to know that the decisions they make are within with the board’s operational parameters, as stated in policy. Intelligent risk-taking has never been more required.
 
Your policies were built to provide guidance and guardrails during such times. But the time may be appropriate for boards to at least discuss the organization’s performance against the stated values of their policies.
 
Here are some policies worthy of board discussion in order to help the board maintain confidence that its values have been stated adequately in order to empower the CEO to do the job.