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PGUSD trustees workshop governance norms, role clarity and onboarding ahead of self‑evaluation
Summary
Trustees discussed governance norms, role clarity between board/superintendent/cabinet, onboarding practices, and scheduling for a facilitated self‑evaluation. The board agreed to complete a self‑evaluation tool prior to a future facilitated session and solicited teacher input for the governance review.
At a Nov. 20 special meeting, the Pacific Grove Unified School District board engaged in a governance training and self‑evaluation workshop focused on chapters 3 and 4 of the district governance handbook.
The facilitator led a short icebreaker built on themes from The Energy Bus and Crucial Conversations, prompting trustees to reflect on the "energy" they bring to meetings and share strategies to stay grounded under stress. Trustees reported techniques such as breathing exercises, walks and gratitude practices.
The board read and discussed governance norms from the handbook (accountability; competence and judiciousness; ethics and integrity, including adherence to the Brown Act; solidarity; communications; and support/respect). The facilitator emphasized returning to these norms at the beginning of meetings.
A large portion of the session focused on role clarity. Trustees noted the difficulty a small district presents when administrators perform multiple roles — the transcript cites Josh Dorn as an example of a cabinet member who has also been a coach — and urged clearer systems and protocols to reduce reliance on individuals. Trustees also discussed the tension trustees face when they are also parents, and the need to declare when they speak in a personal capacity versus as a board member.
Trustees debated whether the board should highlight failures as learning opportunities and agreed on the value of transparent messaging that pairs acknowledgment with proposed next steps. Several trustees commended recent district communications that they said struck a more honest tone.
On the self‑evaluation tool, trustees reviewed the draft instrument and suggested edits (for example, adding an open‑ended question and aligning board goals with the Local Control and Accountability Plan). The external facilitator (referred to as Lou) asked to reschedule a planned December session; trustees discussed Jan. 22 or a February date and agreed to complete the evaluation form in advance as homework and reconvene when the facilitator is available.
What’s next: Trustees will complete the self‑evaluation tool before the facilitator‑led session, staff will circulate the board’s current goals for reference, and the district will bring additional governance topics (onboarding, cultural proficiency training and employee recognition) to future sessions.
