Get Your Board on Board!

What is the Role of the Board During a Crisis and How Can the Board Be Most Effective?

When a crisis strikes an independent school, one of the first questions that should be asked is, “Who’s keeping the board informed?” In fact, it’s one of the most important questions on your checklist. 

While heads of school and administrators are usually front and center during urgent moments, the board of trustees plays a crucial, often underestimated role in effective crisis management. Their involvement—and their backing—can make all the difference.

Why Your Board Matters in a Crisis

As fiduciaries, boards have a duty of care that requires them to be prepared, informed, and engaged to act on behalf of their schools. During a crisis, these responsibilities are amplified. A board that is fully informed and actively supportive helps to guide the head of school’s decisions and lends institutional strength and credibility to the school’s response.

An out-of-the-loop or under-involved board can unintentionally undermine a school’s crisis management response. Mixed messages, delayed approvals, or even just a lack of understanding and support can add layers of confusion or erode trust at a time when clarity and cohesion are vital.

What Your Board’s Role Should Be

Strategic Oversight: As the custodians of mission and reputation, the board must see the big picture and, among other things, help steer the school through any looming reputational risks.

Support and Authority: Board members lend public confidence to administrators making tough calls by standing behind them and articulating clear support when needed.

Unified Communication: a diverse and disciplined board that has strong connections in the community can be very effective ambassadors and helpful in ensuring that the school speaks with one voice, avoiding contradictory messages or confusion.

Resource Allocation: The board approves emergency spending or policy shifts to enable swift action.

For the board to properly fulfill these roles, they must be involved from the very beginning of a crisis—not left to catch up later.

Five Ways to Keep the Board Informed—And Engaged

To harness the full benefit of board support, independent schools must take deliberate steps both before and during crisis situations:

1. Set Expectations Now

Make sure every board member knows their specific responsibilities and how they’ll be included when a crisis hits. Clarify the roles of the Executive Committee or Risk Committee and establish norms as when critical information will be shared with the full board.

2. Engage Early, Not Late

Include board chairs or designated members immediately when a potential crisis emerges. Early involvement means faster alignment and a stronger foundation for decision-making.

3. Foster Two-Way Communication

Don’t just send emails—cultivate ongoing dialogue. Provide channels for board input and help them ask the right questions so they feel fully engaged.

4. Make sure that board members understand their roles during a crisis

Discussions about the board’s role in advance of a crisis will provide clarity and enhance board member confidence and effectiveness when a crisis arises. A confident and unified board going into a crisis will be in a good position to help the head of school navigate the situation.

5. Train Together

Offer crisis communication and response training sessions with both administration and board members. Prepare everyone to act as a collaborative team under pressure. If possible, reach out to experts who may offer training sessions tailored to the needs of your school.

Ready to Get Your Board on Board?

At The Jane Group, we specialize in helping independent schools integrate their boards into crisis management planning and response. Our presentation includes discussing principles of effective crisis management and communication as well as presenting case studies that will allow the board to apply these principles together as a group.

With informed, engaged and trained trustees standing squarely behind leadership, your school can weather crises more smoothly and emerge stronger. 

Contact The Jane Group to schedule your on-site board training today:

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