Board Education

A school’s capacity to grow begins with its leadership.

Our BoardWORKS program takes an innovative approach to building knowledge and trust between the Head of School and Board members, equipping them to collaborate effectively toward achieving strategic goals. Sessions are differentiated by focus and length of time. Want to assess how well the collaboration is working? The Board Evaluation instrument, included with all programs, provides timely and relevant data.

Example topics covered:

  • Accreditation: Background and the Board’s role
  • Best Practices for the Head/Board Partnership
  • Board Composition & Responsibilities: Job Descriptions, Diversity of Perspectives, Cultivating New Members
  • Policies: Conflict of Interest, Confidentiality, Whistle-blower, etc.
  • Board Committees: Structure and Composition, Goal Setting and Reporting
  • Consent Agendas
  • Evaluations: Boards, Board Chairs, Heads of School, and Governance
  • Leadership transitions: Board Chairs and Heads of School

Ready to strengthen your Board?

Every school’s governance needs are different. Connect directly with VAIS Executive Director Betsy Johnson, M.Ed. to discuss designing a custom BoardWORKS program for your school.

Email Betsy

BoardWORKS Offerings

Gearing Up: Understanding the Fundamentals

Understanding key principles of the Board/Head partnership

  • Duration: One hour
  • Location: On-site or online
  • Fee: $450 for VAIS members ($900 non-members) + travel

Geared for Success: Developing the Board as a Team

Strategic direction to help individual Board members work together for the Board’s success

  • Duration: Two hours
  • Location: Online
  • Fee: $900 for VAIS members ($1800 non-members) + travel

Working in Sync: The Board and the Head of School

Aligning mission and strategic planning with Board and Committee goals

  • Duration: Three hours
  • Location: On-site
  • Fee: $1,600 for VAIS members ($3,200 non-members) + travel

Geared for The Future: Creating a Strategic Vision

Guiding the Board through collecting and analyzing data and formulating its strategic and financial plans

  • Duration: Seven hours, including three hours on site; two hours of phone/video consultation; and two-hours of on-site follow up
  • Location: On-site and online
  • Fee: $5,000 + travel (VAIS members only)

Board Evaluation Survey

Regular, effective evaluation is critical for measuring a board’s functioning, and it is also an expectation of VAIS accreditation. The Board Evaluation Survey is a simple, customizable tool that yields powerful results and identifies opportunities for improvement.

  • Fees: $150 or included with the purchase of a BoardWORKS program. (For VAIS members only) Contact Betsy Johnson for details.

TrusteeLAB: Webinars & Case Studies

Trustee time and talent are precious commodities. Our TrusteeLAB webinars, featuring experts in independent school governance, can educate Boards and Heads on essential topics and guide Boards and lead toward greater alignment and productivity. Each webinar includes a case study with guiding questions.

TrusteeLAB Topics

  • Cultivating Board Members: Time, Talent, and Treasure
  • Moving Your Board from Operational to Generative Functioning
  • Strategic Planning: The Ultimate Test of the Head and Board Partnership
  • Transitions in Leadership-Heads of School

Fee: Complimentary for VAIS members, $600 for non-members. Contact Betsy Johnson for details.