Effective Communication between Board & Administration

Effective Communication between Board & Administration

I. INTRODUCTION:

The success of an Islamic school depends on several factors. Chief among them is the strength and relationship between the board of directors and the administration. There are several factors that can help to create an effective and positive relationship between the board and the administration, as well as several factors that can impede effective combination. The ability of the board and the administration to overcome such negative factors will determine the degree of success of the entire school program.

II. IMPORTANT FACTORS IN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION:

There are several factors that are essential to effective communication, and they are all rooted in knowledge and learning.

A. Clarification of rules:
It is essential for both the administration and board members to know their role and responsibility in the school. Such knowledge can help avoid much unnecessary conflict. Each school has its own local circumstances and history, both of which determine to a great extent the role of each actor in the school's administration. However, in general, the role of the administration should be that of a chief operating officer and the role of the board should be that of a policy-making body and a supervisory role. It is essential to note that the administration is very critical in formulating and debating policy, but its primary role is to carry out the policy. The most important thing is not the specific items in the principal's or board's duty descriptions; instead, it is the agreement between the parties on the role of each of them.

B. Professional development for both board and administration:
Many of the conflicts which arise between the board and the administration are due to lack of knowledge and to incompetence on the part of the board and/or the administration. Schools in which both are constantly updating their skills and increasing their knowledge rarely face communication problems. The principal is well-advised to take courses, attend workshops, and visit successful institutions, and the board is also well-served by holding retreats, attending seminars, and calling on experts to educate them on vital matters before taking decisions on them. The operation of a school is a highly demanding and specific job. The more informed the policy making body and the executive body, the more effective the communication between them will be.

C. Creating a partnership (think win/win):
Many Islamic school boards fail to educate their principals and administrators on the vision they have for the school. As a result, the relationship between the board and the administration grows adversarial over time. The stronger the board, the weaker the administration, and vice versa. Both parties have the responsibility to realize that the credibility and success of the board of directors is measured by the success of the administration, and the success of the administration is measured by the success of the board and of the school. Without such forward thinking, communication between the parties will suffer and school business is at the mercy of the relationship between the parties at any given time.

III. STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION:

1. Shared responsibility in solving problems: One important result of the win/win mentality is to view any problem facing the school as a shared problem. Success in solving it is a success for both. The administration then could focus its efforts on researching how this problem is dealt with by others and what factors contribute to it within the school. The board could study any financial, social, or philosophical considerations that need to be accounted for, then a joint response would be drafted.
   
2. Professional conduct (no surprises) by both: It is essential for effective communication between board and administration that all matters related to school business be discussed in board meetings with all present members. No factional meetings, rumors, or divulging of information to a third party. All such behavior can only harm the relationship between the two parties and invite more conflict. It is also essential for both parties to keep students, parents, and staff out of any disagreement.
   
3. Keep an eye on the bigger picture: The goal of all officials in the Islamic school should be the satisfaction of Allah through the establishment and success of the Islamic school. This goal should always be kept in mind by both administration and board. Only then will small disagreements and egos be kept in check. Islamic schools face a lot of challenges brought on by limited physical and human resources. These challenges can be effectively met or greatly compounded, depending on the type of communication which exists among the two leading bodies in the school. It is well worthwhile for our school boards and administrations to invest in fostering effective and positive communication between them for the sake of our Muslim children and for the future of Muslims in North America at large.