Supporting School Board Effectiveness: Building Trust, Clarity, and CommunityConfidence in Rural School Districts

Learning Presentation
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Handouts

Audience:
School Board Members, Superintendents, District Administrators, Board Clerks, and Community Leaders interested in strengthening governance practices and improving organizational effectiveness.


DESCRIPTION:

‍ ‍Effective school board leadership is one of the most important factors influencing the success of a school district. In rural communities, board members and administrators must navigate complex challenges including limited resources, staffing shortages, financial pressures, community expectations, and changing educational needs—all while maintaining strong relationships and public trust. This interactive session explores practical strategies that help boards and superintendents work together effectively, make informed decisions, and build confidence within their communities while focusing on student outcomes. Participants will examine the characteristics of high- performing governance teams, learn approaches for clarifying roles and responsibilities, and explore tools that improve communication, accountability, and decision-making. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies and governance practices that can be implemented immediately to strengthen leadership, improve board effectiveness, and support long-term district success.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

  • Understand the essential roles and responsibilities of school boards and district leadership.

  • Identify characteristics of high-functioning governance teams and governance practices.

  • Learn strategies to strengthen communication, trust, and collaboration among board members and administrators.

  • Explore practical tools for maintaining focus on district priorities and student outcomes.

  • Develop action steps to improve governance effectiveness and community confidence.

Key Topics

  • Governance versus management: understanding roles and boundaries

  • Building productive board-superintendent relationships

  • Establishing trust and accountability

  • Effective communication and decision-making practices

  • Managing conflict and difficult conversations

  • Governance structures that keep the focus on student success

  • Strengthening transparency and community engagement

PRESENTER: Dr. Brad Saron, Superintendent -

Brad Saron proudly serves as the superintendent of the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District, and has been serving as a superintendent since 2007 in rural and suburban school districts. He has a passion for assisting school districts to align their efforts through the development and cascade of Balanced Scorecards in support of students, families and community. Brad has presented at national professional conferences on various topics and is known for his passion for community engagement, leadership, governance, and strategic planning. He has in-depth experiences in almost all aspects of organizational effectiveness, including referenda planning, equity, team building, and strategic budgeting.

Brad has mentored countless leaders across the United States, teaches Introduction to the Superintendency at Viterbo University since 2010, and holds certifications in multiple areas of organizational and leadership development. Brad and his wife Brooke are the parents of four great kids and live in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Brad earned his Bachelor of Science in English and Education from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse, where he also played football. He earned his Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Winona State University, and his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College.

PRESENTER: Steve Schroeder, former 14 year School Board Member

Steve Schroeder served on the Sun Prairie Area School District (Wisconsin) Board of Education for 14 years, serving five years as vice president and six years as president. In this role, Steve has assisted the district with its move to a form of Policy Governance, passing three referenda totaling more than $250M, developing a new strategic framework, and ensuring a focus on equity and meeting the needs of every child.

Steve Schroeder serves as the Director of Administration at the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA). In this role, Steve oversees all internal operations for AWSA as well as strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives. He also develops and facilitates leadership trainings for school leadership around the state.

Steve has a true passion for working with others through servant leadership, collaboration, and shared vision. He received his bachelor of arts and masters of science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College. Steve is certified to facilitate trainings in the Leadership Challenge, Myers Briggs, Covey’s 7 Habits, Five Dysfunctions of a Team, The Four Stages of Psychological Safety, and Strengths Finder. He is certified in Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence, Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead, and has two certificates from the Robert Greenleaf Servant Leadership Program.

As a student of organizational governance, Steve is a Governance Systems Professional (GSP) and an active member in the international organization Govern for Impact.

Steve is the proud parent of two girls. In his free time, Steve enjoys yard work, reading, traveling, and being dad.

PRESENTER: Chandu Vemuri, Executive Assistant

Chandu Vemuri is a seasoned governance specialist who served as the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Education for the Sun Prairie Area School District for 12 years. By merging a rigorous legal background with expert administrative mastery, Chandu served as a strategic partner to C-suite leadership, ensuring operational excellence and organizational integrity.

In her capacity as a governance lead, Chandu directed the complete lifecycle of Board of Education meetings. She was responsible for maintaining meticulous compliance with Wisconsin open meeting laws through the expert management of public notices and Diligent Community packets. Her strategic contributions, such as co-developing the Board’s Annual Planning Calendar, directly enhanced district accountability and governance structures. Furthermore, she expertly navigated the complexities of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, balancing transparency with the rigorous protection of sensitive personnel and student data.

Beyond board governance, Chandu was a pivot point for executive operations. She orchestrated the Superintendent’s intricate schedule, strategically prioritizing demands across more than 10 departments to safeguard executive strategic time. As a primary liaison, she translated complex initiatives into high-level correspondence, executive summaries, and public presentations that aligned with the district’s core messaging. Her role also encompassed critical fiscal oversight, where she managed the Superintendent and Board’s budgets through precise invoice processing and expenditure tracking.

A specialist in modern governance technology, Chandu is an expert user of BoardDocs and Diligent Community platforms, leveraging these tools to streamline policy management and transparency. Her professional excellence was nationally recognized in 2024 when she was named a Modern Governance 100 Honoree. She also holds a Governance Systems Professional Certification and has completed advanced training in the Covey 7 Habits and the Leadership Challenge.

Chandu holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Juris Doctor (JD) from Loyola University of Chicago. Her legal training provides a unique perspective on regulatory compliance and document preparation, making her an indispensable asset to executive leadership.