The LCMS District and Congregational Services—School Ministry new Governing Board Manual is now available online. This new resource replaces the 1987 Board Manual for Lutheran Elementary Schools and the older Board of Education Handbook, Planning for Lutheran Elementary Schools. Check it out! Click here to view the manual online!

Please direct all your suggestions and comments regarding the Governing Board Manual to Bill Cochran, Director of Schools. (You may contact him by clicking on the "Contact Us" link and then select his name from the dropdown menu.)

How to Use the Governing Board Manual

School administrators have found practical ways of using the Governing Board Manual. One principal prints a chapter a month for study by his board. Others use the ideas in the manual to help their board grow and function as an effective and efficient governing agency. Still others use the manual to redesign their present manuals.

One useful feature of the manual is its focus on how to formulate policies and procedures. Clearly, boards make policies, especially as they are drafted and recommended by the administrator. Once adopted, the administrator designs procedures to implement the policy. Wise administrators, of course, discuss with the governing board the procedures they have designed, seeking input and affirmation.

Once you're familiar with the Governing Board Manual, you may want to make a formal presentation to your school board. A Microsoft "PowerPoint" presentation is available for download and use in making your presentation. Click on  to download the PowerPoint® presentation used by Ed Grube in recent District level workshops. You are free to revise it according to your needs.

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