Boardsmanship Academy

Boardsmanship Academy Credit

Honoring value, expertise and service to education

The demands on board members have grown as new federal, state and local responsibilities are added to the agenda.

With budgets tighter and public scrutiny sharper, the stakes are higher. But so are the results accomplished by good board members. More and more, leadership is what “makes all the difference.”

You deserve formal recognition for the time and talent you devote to your community’s most important responsibility—public schools.

A growing movement honors your role

Certification is a growing trend among state school board associations. Running an education organization these days is like being handed the reins of a multi-million dollar corporation. Knowledge and learning to govern as a team are essential in governing complex organizations funded by taxpayers.

Adapting to your needs

The KASB Boardsmanship Academy was created to align conferences, workshops, on-site sessions and other leadership activities for board members into a recognition program. KASB seminars meet the needs of busy people—some are offered at the KASB office, some in areas across the state. KASB also presents custom on-site sessions to meet local needs.

Objectives

To make available to school board members, a comprehensive board development program that includes opportunities to learn and develop knowledge and skills needed to operate effectively on a school board.
To provide a comprehensive and high quality program.
To be able to demonstrate that school board members are the best prepared public officials in Kansas.

Activities

KASB establishes its training program each year on a fiscal year basis beginning in July and concluding the following June.

KASB programs are announced in the KASB Education Calendar, School Board Review, KASB Web site, Curriculum Guide, and other promotional materials.

Criteria

Each seminar/workshop/whole board training/strategic planning session/NSBA conference is assigned specific points. Points are awarded by the length of time of the seminar/workshop. In addition to KASB seminars, whole board training and strategic planning sessions are also included. Newly-elected school board members are awarded points for attending the New Board Member Workshop prior to taking office in July. These points are credited in the succeeding year. National School Boards Association conferences are also included.

Public recognition

News releases to local communities about achievements;
Presentation of awards at local board meetings or regional meetings;
Features in the School Board Review and/or Kansas School Board Journal;
Lapel pins, certificates and plaques; and
Recognition at KASB Fall Regional Meetings and Annual Convention.

When certificates are given

The certificates will be awarded for points earned ending June 30 of each year. Presentation will be at the local board meetings.

The point year timeline

Although points accumulate throughout board service, points for certificates are tallied annually at the end of June. If members serve on more than one board (e.g., a district and service center), the points earned will be counted toward individual certificates on each board. When you attend a KASB or NSBA workshop or event, KASB will keep track of your points.

Levels of Recognition

Board members can receive six levels of recognition in the Boardsmanship Academy:

Level One Certificate—50 to 99 points
Level Two Certificate—100+ points

Silver Pin—100+ points
Gold Pin—100+ points in two consecutive years

Platinum Level Plaque—100+ points in five consecutive years

A board can also be honored for its collective work with a Whole Board Certificate. This is awarded to a board that has seven board members with 25+ points each.

Points already earned

Points are awarded to newly-elected board members who attend KASB’s New Board Member Workshop.