The Red Hook Central School District Board of Education spent the last day of July discussing its functions within the district, how it can communicate more effectively and what it aims to accomplish in the coming year.
The Board held its annual retreat July 31 at Red Hook High School, an introspective three-hour session Board President Kelly Borrelle said several longtime members agreed was “the best Board retreat we’ve ever had.”
Dutchess BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Jodi DeLucia facilitated the meeting, walking the Board through their objectives and team building exercises, in addition to providing a presentation on the roles and behaviors of an effective school board. They discussed how the role of a school board is governance and oversight, maintaining a big picture focus.
“‘It is not the job of the school board to run schools, rather, the job is to see that they are run well,’” Borrelle said, quoting part of DeLucia’s presentation. “We shouldn’t micromanage. (Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janet Warden) has her team in place and she’s hired the appropriate people. Unless something rises to our level, it’s not the role of the Board.”
The Board at the meeting looked back at its goals set for 2021-25 with the intention of refining them for the coming year. While the goals will not be formalized until their next meeting Aug. 21, the group last week discussed possible additions that include “prioritizing communication for all voices,” and considering the status of federal funding when discussing finances and possible advocacy efforts.
Borrelle said they also discussed members’ responsibilities to participate in the community in addition to Board activities and committee meetings. Communication within the Board itself was a key focus.
“How do we communicate with each other?” she said. “We want to keep that open style, where everyone can bring something to the table; debate the issue, not the person.”
The Board held its second meeting of the summer Thursday morning, approving several appointments including new Board Clerk Heather Paschal, effective Aug. 13. Paschal, who will also serve as secretary to the superintendent of schools, was previously a senior typist at Red Hook High School. She was present at the retreat, as was Warden and Dr. Kitty Summers, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and staff development.
The district’s administrative staff and building leadership likewise held their own retreat Wednesday and Thursday of this week.