The Governance Core: School Boards, Superintendents, and Schools Working Together

Working together for excellence for all children  As our society faces daunting and evolving challenges, education might well be the social institution that offers the most hope and opportunity for change. Overloaded with multiple, diverse issues, however, where do educational leaders even begin?  Davis Campbell and Michael Fullan believe efficacy must be achieved with a systems focus. The Governance Core provides strategies and tools for board members, superintendents and school leaders to unify and face the complex challenges of school governance together. Practical and authentic, the Governance Core is based upon: A governance mindset A shared moral imperative A unified, cohesive governance system   A commitment to system-wide coherence  A focus on continuous improvement in the district  Essential for local education governance – school boards in collaboration with district and school leadership – this guide will help you operate at the highest levels of effectiveness.  

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Frank Pugh Foreword by John Malloy Introduction: Politics, Governance, and System Improvement Unity of Purpose: Driven by a Shared Moral Imperative Politics, Governance, and System Improvement How This Book Is Structured Shift to Positive Drivers Concluding Comments PART I: MINDSETS FOR EFFICACY Chapter 1. Moral Imperative and the Governance Core The Nature of Governance A Fundamental Choice Five Major Themes of Good Governance The Governance Core Concluding Comments Chapter 2. Trustee Governance Mindset Systems Thinking Strategic Focus Deep Learning Manner Concluding Comments Chapter 3. Superintendent Governance Mindset Typical Governance Styles Examples of Purposeful Superintendent Support for Governance What These Superintendents Have in Common Supporting a Trustee Governance Mindset Concluding Comments Chapter 4. Welcoming New Trustees The First 100 Days: What the Board Should Do The First 100 Days: What New Trustees Should Do Concluding Comments PART II: GOVERNING FOR EFFICACY Chapter 5. Governing With Coherence Coherence Coherence Making Coherence in Perspective Distractions and Challenges to Coherence Concluding Comments Chapter 6. Governance Culture Processes That Develop Governance Infrastructure Concluding Comments Chapter 7. The Governance Job: Systems Thinking and Strategic Action Setting Strategic Direction Policy Direction and Approval Stewardship and Support Oversight and Accountability Community Leadership Throughout Concluding Comments Chapter 8. Governance Tools Discussion Meetings Governance Handbooks Board Self-Evaluations Continuing Board Education Concluding Comments PART III: THE CHALLENGES AHEAD Chapter 9. Rising to the Occasion All Rise Appendix I: Template for Creating Board Protocols Appendix II: Three Comparisons of Effective Governance Principles References Index Acknowledgments About the Authors

About the Author :
Davis Campbell is the former Executive Director of the California School Boards Association and is Chair of the University of California Davis, School of Education Advisory Board and a Senior Fellow at the Center for Applied Policy in Education. Campbell has a deep and broad background in public education. He served for 12 years in the California Department of Education, serving six of those as Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction in charge of all education programs. In 1988 he was appointed Executive Director of the California School Boards Association, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 2001. He has also served as an elected trustee on the Yolo County Board of Education. In 2020, Campbell was awarded the 2020 University of California Davis Alumni Association Distinguished Achievement Award. Campbell maintains an active consulting practice in effective governance in education as well as nonprofit agencies at both the state and international level. In California, in addition to continuing education governance programs with school districts, Campbell has provided workshops for nonprofit organizations as well as governance workshops and presentations with cities, counties, and special districts. Campbell’s international work includes governance support for American and International schools in Madrid Spain (15 years), Barcelona Spain, Lisbon Portugal, Paris France, Rome and Milan Italy, Tunis Tunisia, Cairo Egypt and British Columbia Canada. Michael Fullan served as Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Special Policy Adviser in Ontario from 2003-2013. He received the Order of Canada (OC) in December 2012 and holds five honorary doctorates from universities around the world. His ‘interim autobiography’, Surreal Change, covers his work to 2018. Michael and his colleagues are now working diligently on field-based comprehensive system change in several countries. This work operates under the umbrella of what they call the ‘shared humanity paradigm’ —Equity, Engagement, Excellence--Deep change that integrates local (school and community), middle (district/regional), and state (policy) entities. Fullan’s favorite method of learning is to partner with groups that are engaged with change; and to learn together with them. (And then to write another book about the experiences, and what was learned). Michael Fullan’s latest books are:  Nuance (2019), Spirit Work and the Science of Collaboration (with Mark Edwards, 2022), The Principal 2.0 (2023), and The Drivers (with Joanne Quinn, 2023). For more information on books, articles, videos, podcasts please go to: www.michaelfullan.ca

Review :
The Governance Core is a masterpiece that calls on governing board members to seize the moral high ground, establish a unity of purpose, and pursue governing excellence. The book is insightful, engaging, and filled with real-world examples that illuminate important principles needed for effective governing. The Governance Core is a must-read for new or veteran school board members.   Brilliant and utterly compelling! I have sat in boardrooms for 46 years governing education institutions, hospitals, and universities. It’s as if Davis Campbell and Michael Fullan were looking over my shoulder! The Governance Core captures the essence of effective governance in complex times. This book challenges us to focus on and achieve a higher moral purpose. Campbell and Fullan move beyond what governance is and explore how great leaders should govern. Governance, school boards, and superintendents are on the front line of meeting the challenges facing education in the 21st century. The Governance Core by Davis Campbell and Michael Fullan captures not only the nature of the challenges but also the characteristics of highly successful school board trustees and superintendents working together. The Governance Core goes deeply into the heart of effective governance. Incorporate these ideas, and you will become much more effective as governance leaders—and your students, parents and educators will benefit immensely. A treasure of a book, chock-full of guidance from the strategic to the pragmatic. I will refer to The Governance Core regularly as our board and principal work together in the service of the scholars and families in our school community. Whether you’re a district leader or a principal, on a district school board, charter board, or local school council, you will find insights and tools to deepen your understanding and improve your practice of effective governance. Our nation’s children deserve no less. Davis Campbell and Michael Fullan do a masterful job of explaining how public school boards and superintendents working well together, with a shared moral imperative, can be a driving force for improvement in student learning as well as for society as a whole. This exquisite new book,   The Governance Core, beautifully explains why this is true and how to achieve it.   Simultaneously visionary and pragmatic,   The Governance Core provides a comprehensive, action-oriented blueprint for designing an effective governance system focused squarely on what matters: student learning. Davis Campbell and Michael Fullan demonstrate how the right approach to governance can make the critical difference in achieving learning for all students. This new book is a powerful, persuasive must-read not only for superintendents and school board members but also for all of us in nonprofits and public agencies who share a commitment to students’ succeeding in school and beyond.   Good governance is a skill, a discipline, and a commitment. Davis Campbell and Michael Fullan reveal new understandings and important lessons about governing public school systems for healthier communities. They make the compelling case that effective governance in these uncertain times is an essential driver for a better democracy. A must-read for all new and veteran board members and superintendents. Davis Campbell and Michael Fullan have provided great insights on the governance core in this inspiring book. I recommend that trustees and superintendents read this book together—and act on the key messages.