Pittsburgh School Board Maintains a B- on Latest Board Watch "Report Card"

Since the launch of Board Watch in January 2009, A+ Schools has issued 10 report cards on Pittsburgh School Board governance practices based on observations of meetings by trained volunteers. The August 2011 report card is the second to be issued using a new reporting form (Version 2.0) introduced by A+ Schools last spring. The new form reflects higher expectations for the School Board's governance and allows for more specific feedback and recommendations from Board Watch volunteers.

Highlights

• The overall grade is a B-, which the Board also received for the previous reporting period.
• Focus and Mission – the grade is a C, which means that on average, volunteers reported that the Board spent about half of the meeting managing time effectively, focusing on ways to achieve the district’s goals, and prioritizing student outcomes. 
• Transparency – the grade is a B+, which means that on average, volunteers agreed that they felt welcome at the meeting, and understood the information presented and the rationale behind the Board’s actions.
• Conduct – the grade is a B+, which means that on average, volunteers reported that only some of the Board members used sarcastic or disrespectful verbal or nonverbal communication.  They reported that most of the Board handled differences of opinion respectfully.
• Role Clarity – the grade is a C-, which means that on average, volunteers reported that the Board spent slightly less than half of their meeting time focused on how the district is making progress toward achieving its goals and using policy to create solutions to their concerns.  Instead, volunteers said the Board spent slightly more than half of their meeting time focused on the details of agenda items (i.e., who participates, when items occur, what the participants will do, etc.).
• Competency – the grade is a B-, which means that on average, volunteers reported that a majority of Board members were prepared for the meeting, and appeared to use research, district data, existing policies and other facts to inform their opinions.

Main recommendation
Implement the widely used best practice of the consent agenda as a way to minimize time and attention on administrative tasks and create more time and attention for setting and monitoring policies that create a high performing school system where all students achieve at high levels.