NEPN/NSBA Code: BAA-R

LEWISTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE SELF EVALUATION*

Below are the questions for the self evaluation form.  Click this link to download a pdf of the form.

General Questions - Please rate 1-4 with 4 being the highest.

1. The chair runs meetings in a fair, open, orderly fashion.

2. School committee members are prepared for meetings.

3. School committee members relate to each other in a courteous manner.

4. School committee members always insist on adequate background information before making decisions.

5. School committee members always have the educational well-being of children as the top priority.

6. School committee members are given the chance to speak at meetings.

7. School committee members support decisions made by the board, even if they disagree during the discussion.

8. School committee members recognize that they have no individual power, and operate accordingly.

9. The school committee follows "Robert's Rules of Order" and its bylaws.

10. The duties and responsibilities of school committee members are clearly stated in policy regarding board committees.

11. The school committee keeps informed and current on educational issues through reading and attendance at conventions and workshops.

12. School committee members arrive at meetings on time.

13. School committee members read their agenda packets before the meeting and are prepared to discuss issues on the agenda.

14. The school committee employs written policies and procedures for conducting board meetings.

15. The public interaction between the school committee and the superintendent is a positive one.

16. The school committee conducts meetings in adequate facilities for attendance of staff and community.

17. The school committee defers action on items not on agenda until they can be studied and discussed and until the administration has a chance to respond.

18. School committee members avoid public criticism of staff or staff recommendations.

19. School committee members respect the confidentiality of executive sessions.

20. The school committee works toward compromise and consensus when there are disagreements among members.

21. The school committee exhibits effective decision making skills.

22. School committee members do not allow their political activities to affect their working as a board on district matters.

23. School committee members bring community comments and remarks about district personnel to the superintendent to check on and report back before accepting them as true.

24. The school committee evaluates itself on a regular basis, at least once a year in conjunction with the Superintendent evaluation.

Questions about Policy - Please rate 1-4 with 4 being the highest.

1. The school committee adopts policy on a regular basis.

2. All members of the school committee have read their policy manual.

3. All school committee members demonstrate an understanding of the existing body of policy.

4. The school committee reviews the existing body of policy on a planned basis.

5. The school committee monitors that policy is being implemented in a way that is acceptable to the board.

6. The school committee refrains from making policy under pressure.

7. The policy manual is readily available to all interested persons.

8. The school committee insists that all board and staff adhere to policy.

9. The school committee seeks the superintendent's recommendations on policy issues.

Questions about Superintendent Relations - Please rate 1-4 with 4 being the highest.

1. The school committee acts as a policy-making and governance body, holding the superintendent responsible for administration and evaluation of programs, as well as staff evaluation.

2. The school committee develops, with cooperation from the superintendent, a set of criteria used for superintendent evaluation, which is done annually.

3. The school committee evaluates the superintendent fairly, diligently and in a timely manner, in a mutually agreed upon process.

4. The school committee requests information through the superintendent and not directly from staff.

5. The school committee works and plans with the superintendent in a spirit of mutual respect, trust, confidence and cooperation.

6. The school committee, with the assistance of the superintendent, has formulated clear performance expectations against which the superintendent can be measured.

7. The school committee provides the superintendent with sufficient time to plan projects thoroughly and develop thoughtful recommendations.

8. The school committee provides meaningful praise to the superintendent where deserved.

9. The school committee encourages and supports the professional advancement of the superintendent.

Questions about Community Relations - Please rate 1-4 with 4 being the highest.

1. The school committee has clear, written policies on community-board relations.

2. The school committee encourages community attendance at meetings via specific, planned activities.

3. The school committee makes clear the opportunities for appropriate participation by community members.

4. The school committee demonstrates cooperation with the news media.

5. The school committee keeps the community informed of its actions in a positive, continuing manner via specific, planned activities.

6. The school committee channels all concerns about the system through the superintendent for study, and requests that he/she report back to the school committee if action is required.

7. The community demonstrates an awareness of school committee policies, and knows where to find such policies for their inspection, such as the library, town hall, etc.

8. Community involvement in the schools is demonstrated and encouraged.

Questions about Personnel Relationships - Please rate 1-4 with 4 being the highest.

1. The school committee employs sound and concise personnel policies to support the superintendent's authority.

2. The school committee has developed and uses procedures for staff complaints and suggestions to the board.

3. The school committee recognizes on a regular, planned basis, outstanding staff performance.

4. The school committee encourages professional growth in the staff by providing for attendance at educational meetings and staff development programs through policy and appropriate budgetary support.

5. The school committee policy affirms the importance of teachers and teaching.

Questions about Instructional Programs - Please rate 1-4 with 4 being the highest.

1. The school committee employs clear policies on curriculum development, implementation and review.

2. The school committee maintains a assessment program which appropriately measures the aptitude and achievement of all students.

3. The school committee monitors administrative utilization of assessment results to improve programs and increase student achievement.

4. The school committee demonstrates a commitment to academic excellence.

Questions about Fiscal Policy - Please rate 1-4 with 4 being the highest.

1. The school committee employs comprehensive policies on sound fiscal management.

2. The school committee understands the development of the budget process.

3. The school committee members, via specific activities (policies, board activities, etc.) create a climate of acceptance for their budget.

4. The school committee begins and completes the budget process in a timely fashion.

5. The completed budget is fiscally responsible while meeting the needs of students.

6. The school committee makes certain that the budget, as developed by the superintendent and approved by the board, is directly related to identified board priorities, policies, and approved (budgetary) goals and guidelines.

7. The school committee communicates with the town fiscal authority, both during the budget cycle and at other times of the year.

Questions about Goal Setting - Please rate 1-4 with 4 being the highest.

1. The school committee establishes clearly defined annual goals for the district.

2. The school committee actively seeks input from the community in establishing goals and objectives.

3. The school committee checks periodically on the status of the district goals.

4. The district has met the goals for the past year.

5. The school committee has a strategic plan.

6. The school committee reviews the strategic plan prior to setting annual district goals.

7. The school committee establishes annual performance goals for the board.

8. The school committee reviews annual performance goals for the board.

*Self-evaluation tool is adopted from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Inc.

Sep-08 (Reviewed October 17, 2011

Reviewed: November 3, 2014

Reviewed: August 22, 2016