Customer Reviews

Charter School Board University

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One of the most difficult things in being a board member is knowing what your role is and know what it isn't. This book will tell you. It will give you a clear description of the parameters of your role and what your goals should be. It will tell you what the school administration's role is and help you avoid the chaos that results when those roles collide.

Even more important, this book will show you how good governance works to provide the best academic performance for your students and the most practical and satisfying experience for you as a board member. It will look at boards that failed and make sure you don't repeat their mistakes.

While Charter School Board University is written specifically on governance of Charter Schools, the lessons are easily transferable to any governing board. How individuals can work together to make group decisions, how to nurture the board's development, and how to run efficient meetings, are part of what you will learn here. It includes exercises to see how your meetings are run now and how to improve them. It will guide you through the finances of governing and give you tools to make sure you ask the right questions to keep your board on an ethical and sound financial track.

This book is a guide for board members, new and seasoned, who seldom receive sufficient training before being handed the responsibility. In the interest of clear disclosure, I must say that I was hired to proofread this book, but that isn't why I am writing the review. I am writing this review because I have served on boards and know how difficult the process can be, no matter how good intentioned the members and administration may be. I believe this book is an excellent training manual for school board members. And despite the considerable research that went into the content, Brian Carpenter's style is informal and a pleasure to read. The format - like a school binder with chapter tabs - makes it easy to search for answers to specific questions. Charter School Board University should be required reading for all board members.

This would be a great book for any charter school board . . . but even better for beginning charter school boards or new board members.

Brian Carpenter's engaging voice throughout this resource manual makes it an easy read. The content is appropriate and informative for charter school board members and provides insightful and critical information in a readable, concise format - perfect for busy professionals. I have been so pleased with the book that I provide a copy to new charter petitioning groups who join my training program. It is really a wonderful resource.

Kelly Cadman
Director, Education and Training
The Georgia Charter Schools Association