GAVEL Training

• GAVEL Governance: An introduction to the board's governance authority.
• GAVEL Vision: School boards can impact student achievement
• GAVEL Teamwork: Learning and operating as a board team
• GAVEL Internal Relationships: Understanding human resource systems and learning environments.
• GAVEL External Relationships: Building effective external relationships.
• GAVEL Fiscal Responsibility: Understanding school finance and district budgets.

Laying A Foundation: An introduction to effective school board governance
Laying A Foundation is a five-hour seminar devoted to board orientation and two essential content areas that gives board members a solid foundation for serving on a school board. Board members will walk away with a basic understanding of the knowledge and skills needed to effectively govern and receive in-depth training on the board's governance authority and school board teamwork. Laying A Foundation includes GAVEL Governance and GAVEL Teamwork training.

1. Board members understand school boards' place as governing bodies in our American form of government.
2. Board members understand the board's legal status and responsibilities, including compliance with federal, state and local laws (board policy).
3. Board members understand the policy development process.
4. Board members understand the concept of governance leadership teams.
5. Board members understand the importance of creating a board learning communities.
6. Board members have a basic understanding of data-driven decision making.
7. Board members understand meeting protocols and procedures.

GAVEL Vision: School Boards Can Impact Student Achievement
Research shows that effective school boards create the conditions necessary to improve student achievement for all students. GAVEL Vision introduces board members to the latest research on school board governance, including what we now understand about how boards can provide leadership that improves student achievement. This three-hour seminar also stresses the importance of the board's role in establishing the district's vision, mission and goals as a means to set clear system-wide expectations for student achievement.

1. Board members have a basic understanding of current research on the board's role in improving student achievement.
2. Board members understand the importance of the district's vision, mission, beliefs and goals.

GAVEL Relationships: Building internal and external relationships
As locally elected leaders, school board members are the key link between the school and community. Effective governance means building trusting relationships with staff and community members while keeping a focus on the best interests of the students. This three-hour seminar gives board members the tools needed to provide governance leadership at the local level.

1. Board members have a basic understanding of how to support human resource systems.
2. Board members understand their role in negotiations, hiring and terminations.
3. Board members understand and respect the chain of command within a schools system.
4. Board members understand the obligation to provide appropriate facilities, a safe environment, transportation, materials and time for learning.
5. Board members understand how to address citizen concerns during board meetings or outside of meetings. 
6. Board members understand the importance of being an advocate for children and how to relate to different stakeholders. 
7. Board members understand how to respond to questions from the media.

GAVEL Vision and Relationships
This full-day program delivers both GAVEL Vision and GAVEL Relationships training. GAVEL Vision introduces board members to the latest research on school board governance, including what we now understand about how boards can provide leadership that improves student achievement. GAVEL Relationships empowers board members to fulfill their role as a link between the school and community.

1. Board members have a basic understanding of current research on the board's role in improving student achievement. 
2. Board members understand the importance of the district's vision, mission, beliefs and goals. 
3. Board members have a basic understanding of how to support human resource systems.
4. Board members understand their role in negotiations, hiring and terminations.
5. Board members understand and respect the chain of command within a schools system.
6. Board members understand the obligation to provide appropriate facilities, a safe environment, transportation, materials and time for learning.
7. Board members understand how to address citizen concerns during board meetings or outside of meetings. 
8. Board members understand the importance of being an advocate for children and how to relate to different stakeholders. 
9. Board members understand how to respond to questions from the media.

GAVEL Fiscal Responsibility: Understanding school finance and district budgets
Exhibiting fiscal responsibility is one of the foundations of effective school board leadership. GAVEL Fiscal Responsibility, a three hour program, provides board members with the knowledge and skills needed to work thorough often complex school funding situations while acting in the best interest of your students, district, community and taxpayers.

Outcomes: 

1. Board members understand basic school finance concepts, including the development and adoption of a fiscally responsible budget. 
2. Board members understand how to monitor the fiscal health of the district. 
3. Board members are aware of their responsibilities to ensure a fiscally responsible system. 
4. Board members have a basic understanding of how the state school finance formula works.