Board members can be a school’s greatest asset or its greatest challenge. Some boards are so engaged they drift into micromanagement. Others struggle to stay involved beyond a few annual meetings. In both scenarios, school leaders often ask: How can I build a board that contributes meaningfully and strategically to our mission?
At Partners in Mission, we’ve walked alongside hundreds of Catholic schools, helping them answer this question. Senior Partner Kevin Quinn offers 12 practical rules for building and managing a highly effective school board. Here’s how to put them into action:
Recruitment should be a collaborative process involving the president or principal, advancement team, and nominating committee. Use a recruitment packet that clearly outlines responsibilities, expectations, financials, and your school’s mission.
Start strong by setting expectations. Clarify the “give and get” philosophy, time commitments, fiduciary responsibilities, and committee work. Transparency upfront helps avoid misunderstandings down the road. (N.B. giving requirement - yes, all board members must make a personal annual gift, ideally within the top 3 of their philanthropic priorities).
New board members should be formally oriented not just handed a binder. A yearly board retreat is essential for onboarding and re-energizing your team. Use the time to revisit your strategic plan, evaluate past performance, and build community.
Relationships matter. Create intentional spaces (dinners before meetings, pre-receptions at major events, or social time during retreats) for board members to connect with each other and with key donors. School leadership needs to meet with board members outside of scheduled meetings.
Effective meetings are focused, social, and strategic. Keep full board meetings to 4–5 per year, with 60–90 minute agendas. Use consent agendas, highlight a student or faculty speaker, and ensure each meeting includes a school success story.
Board reports should be timely, relevant, insightful and focus on strategy (as opposed to tactics). Don’t just share data - help your board interpret it. Anticipate their questions and provide context for trends, anomalies, and comparisons.
Have an annual self-assessment so members can reflect on their contributions. Between meetings, maintain communication and invite strategic input. Collaborate with board and committee chairs when setting agendas or annual goals.
Your board’s impact deserves recognition. Publicly acknowledge strategic wins, key decisions, and individual contributions, both at events and across communications channels.
Not every board member will be a fit forever. Conduct regular check-ins to assess satisfaction and offer alternative ways to serve. When necessary, involve committee or board chairs in exit conversations.
Encourage ongoing two-way communication. Share updates regularly, ask for insights, and schedule check-ins with committee members and individual board members multiple times per year.
Encourage collaboration between committees, especially when their work overlaps (e.g., advancement and finance). Ensure advancement professionals are building one-on-one relationships with each board member.
Don’t shy away from tough conversations. Educate your board on the challenges you face and invite their help in solving them, especially those who are most vocal.
A high-functioning board doesn’t just happen. It’s built intentionally, thoughtfully, and collaboratively. By recruiting the right people, setting clear expectations, and fostering meaningful engagement, you’ll create a board that strengthens your school and advances your mission.
Connect with Kevin Quinn to learn more about how Partners in Mission can support your school’s board development efforts.