Q: What is the focus of the Master Board (MB) Program?
A: The Program is designed to concentrate on developing leadership skills and enhancing a leadership team's ability to work effectively as a governance team.
Q: For whom is the Master Board Program designed?
A: The leadership team (i.e. school board and superintendent) of each Florida school district is the "targeted audience" for the Master Board Program.
Q: Can any leadership team in Florida participate in the Master Board Program?
A: YES! The Program is designed for:
1) a leadership team that has never participated or completed the Program;
2) a leadership team that previously held the Master Board distinction and needs to
reinstate its eligibility for the Master Board distinction; and,
3) a leadership team that currently holds the Master Board distinction, but desires to
engage in continued professional development activities.
Q: Are leadership teams required to participate in the Master Board Program?
A: No, Program participation is voluntary.
Q: How many hours of training are required in the Master Board Program?
A: A total of 22 hours of leadership training is required in the Master Board Program.
Q: What is the instructional sequence for the Master Board Program?
A: Steps in the Master Board Program are listed below:
- Step 1 - Master Board Forum (2 days--10 hours of prescribed mandatory training)
- Step 2* - Onsite Workshop (4 hours) conducted at a time and place determined by the leadership team
- Step 3* - Onsite Workshop (4 hours) conducted at a time and place determined by the leadership team
- Step 4* - Onsite Workshop (4 hours) conducted at a time and place determined by the leadership team
*The leadership team selects the topics for onsite workshops from a list of approved Master Board Modules.
Q: Are there any time constraints for completing the Master Board Program?
A: YES! A maximum of 12 months is allotted for completing the Master Board Program.
Q: Who delivers Master Board training sessions?
A: Facilitators who are current or former school board members conduct and facilitate the Master Board training sessions. FSBA has developed a special training program for these facilitators to complete before officially conducting any training sessions.
Q: Are Master Board training sessions delivered in the leadership team's school district?
A: YES! Twelve (12) hours, that is three (3) four-hour workshops, of the Master Board Program are designed as "onsite training" activities.
Q: How is the leadership team recognized for completing the Master Board Program?
A: The leadership team receives a Master Board Plaque that lists the names of the leadership team members who have completed at least 75% of the Master Board curriculum. Each team member also receives a Master Board Lapel Pin.
Q: Are all board members in the school district required to participate in the Master Board Program if a majority of the members commits to program participation?
A: NO! A board member may choose not to participate in the Master Board Program. A board member who does not attend or attends less than 75% of the required Master Board training is ineligible to have his/her name inscribed on the Master Board Plaque or to be awarded a Master Board Lapel Pin.
Q: Does a school district continue to hold the Master Board distinction when one (1) of the leadership team members who completed the Program no longer serves as a school board member?
A: The Master Board distinction is no longer held. To reinstate the distinction of Master Board, the new leadership team must complete the current Master Board Program.
Q: What customized training modules have been developed by FSBA for the onsite workshops?
A: Currently developed training modules are identified below. Plans are in progress to design additional modules.
- Aligning the School District to Improve Student Achievement
- The Roles and Responsibilities of the Board and Superintendent
- Power Through Policy
- Effective Problem Solving
- Strategic Planning
- Conducting Effective Board Meetings
- Creating Meaningful Change
- The Performance Evaluation of Appointed Superintendents
- Essentials of Leadership
- The Key Works of School Boards
- Keeping the Vision Alive
- Creating a Vision For Your District
- Core Beliefs
- Strategic Communication
- Surviving and Thriving in a Learning Organization
- Meeting the Challenge of Educational Change
- The Challenges of Leadership
- The Tipping Point
Q: Can training in the Master Board Program be used for points in the Certified Board Member Program?
A: NO! The training cannot be used to satisfy two (2) programmatic requirements, consequently, no points can be granted for the Certified Board Member Program.
Q: How does a leadership team become involved in the Master Board Program?
A: The FSBA Office generates a memorandum (November or December of even-numbered years) to invite leadership teams to apply for participation in the Master Board Program. The first step is for the leadership team to file a "letter of intent to participate" with the FSBA Office. The "letter of intent to participate" requires a majority of the school board members and the superintendent to make a commitment for attending all training sessions. The signature of each leadership team member who agrees to participate in the Master Board Program must be affixed to the "letter of intent to participate."
Q: What is the cost of the Master Board Program?
A: The fee for the Master Board Program is $3,000.00. When a leadership team files a "letter of intent" to participate in the Master Board Program, the $3,000.00 fee or $3,000.00 purchase order must accompany the "letter of intent." Expenditures for travel, lodging, and meals must be paid by the team when attending the Master Board Forum.
Q: How long does a leadership team hold the distinction of Master Board?
A: This distinction remains in effect for the period of time in which school board members with their names on the Master Board Plaque continue to serve as school board members.
Q: Does the FSBA Office advise the community when the team completes the Master Board Program?
A: YES! Press releases are sent to newspapers that are in circulation within the community.
Q: How many leadership teams have completed the Master Board Program?
A: Leadership teams of 55 school districts have attained the Master Board Distinction. Twenty-five (25) leadership teams participated in the 2007-2008 Master Board Program.
For additional information, contact:
Karen Denson, Director of Board Development
Florida School Boards Association
203 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Telephone Number: 850/414-2578
FAX Number: 850/414-2585
E-mail: denson@fsba.org