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What makes a good school board member?

The legal requirements for board membership are few, but qualifications for effective service are many. The most effective board members possess most or all of these attributes:

•• Effective Communicator – Can describe what he or she wants and describe what others want; a good listener.

•• Consensus Builder – Capable of working toward decisions that all can support and willing to compromise to achieve that goal.

•• Community Participant – Enjoys meeting a variety of people, can identify the community’s key communicators and reaches out to fellow citizens.

•• Decision Maker – Knows his or her own as well as others’ decision-making styles, can support group decision-making.

•• Information Processor – Can organize priorities and schedules to handle large quantities of verbal and written information.

•• Leader – Willing to take risks, be supportive of board colleagues, district staff and community.

•• Team Player – Helps promote the board’s vision and goals.