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The Governance Core 2.0
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The Governance Core 2.0
School Boards, Superintendents, and Schools Working Together

Second Edition


July 2024 | 216 pages | Corwin

Essential strategies for school trustees and superintendents.

Addressing the urgent challenges of school leadership in our divided, post-pandemic landscape, The Governance Core 2.0 is an essential guide for school trustees and superintendents dedicated to making a meaningful difference in their districts. Davis Campbell, Michael Fullan, and Babs Kavanaugh provide useful tools and techniques to improve local governance culture, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between board members, district leaders, and school staff to support the success and wellbeing of every student. 

This thoroughly updated edition is now structured around three pillars–Governance Mindset, Governance Culture, and Governance Infrastructure–providing a comprehensive framework that addresses the core principles and responsibilities of effective school governance. Additional features include: 

  • Practical strategies for fostering collaboration, onboarding new trustees, and leading transformative change in a school district
  • New real-world examples of effective board governance
  • A board planning calendar and self-evaluation tools
  • A new “Suggestions for Implementation” section to support the application of lessons from the book

Offering guidance on developing a shared moral imperative and systems thinking and establishing clear norms and protocols, this book is a necessary resource for both new and experienced trustees, superintendents, and district leaders.

 
Introduction: Politics, Governance, and System Improvement
 
Chapter 1: Moral Imperative and the Governance Core
 
Pillar I: Governance Mindset
 
Chapter 2: The Governance Mindset
 
Chapter 3: The Governance Mindset in Action
 
Chapter 4: Onboarding: Welcoming New Trustees
 
Pillar II: Governance Culture
 
Chapter 5: Governing Coherence and Synergy
 
Chapter 6: The Governance Responsibilities of the Board
 
Pillar III: Governance Infrastructure
 
Chapter 7: Governance Infrastructure
 
Chapter 8: Governance Tools
 
Chapter 9: New Pathways

In this important book, Campbell, Fullan, and Kavanaugh have filled a cavernous gap in the educational leadership. The
authors send the strong message that accountability is a two-way street. Providing explicit, practical, and applicable strategies, this book is a gift to the world of education and should be studied not only by board members, but also by legislators, city councilors, county commissions, and others who influence the funding and policies of schools.

Douglas Reeves
Boston, Massachusetts

The Governance Core 2.0 is a must-read with much needed examples and suggestions for improvement that address the challenges of heightened polarization across communities. Campbell, Fullan, and Kavanaugh are at the forefront of new developments in governance that help focus and
strengthen how we run schools. This book provides hope for humanity.

Sandy Sanchez Thorstenson
Leadership Associates
Glendora, California

The Governance Core 2.0 offers much needed learning for trustees and boards as we work together to build optimal conditions for student achievement. Campbell, Fullan, and Kavanaugh provide guidance for locally elected boards to strengthen relationships between school boards and
superintendents while examining the critical balance between governance and operations.

Carolyn Broady
BC School Trustees Association

This ground-breaking book calls on governing board members and superintendents to seize the moral and policy
high ground, develop a governance mindset, and commit to a focus on continuous improvement. It is filled with real world examples that illuminate important principles needed for effective governance.

Vernon M. Billy
California School Boards Association
West Sacramento, California

Like an oasis in the desert, The Governance Core 2.0 is lifesaving for school board trustees, especially those without prior experience as elected officials. Campbell, Fullan, and Kavanaugh provide a true north that is reassuring and inspiring, helping board members learn about effective governance and how to coalesce and flourish together.

Julie Kelly
Vista Unified School District Board of Education
Vista, California

As a new superintendent I found this book to be incredibly valuable as our governance team navigated the creation of new district goals and a shared vision for our community.

Matthew Harris
Petaluma City Schools
Petaluma, California

The authors provide useful tools and techniques to improve local governance culture. One of my favorite themes is that
the power of governance rests with the board itself working as a coherent team. It is an easy-to-read guide for new trustees and a useful reminder to seasoned board members and superintendents.

William G. Ruff
Montana State University

Governance matters. This book is a must-read for districts trying to make a difference for all students. Students are best
served when board members, district leaders, and school staff work together for the betterment of every student. Campbell, Fullan, and Kavanaugh outline the key considerations that district leaders and board members should employ to support students’ success.

John Malloy
San Ramon Valley Unified School District
Danville, California

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