As I begin the latest chapter in my career as a school board member, serving as CSBA President, I had an opportunity to reflect on my earliest days as a trustee, almost four decades ago. The occasion was a somber one, as I was asked to speak at the funeral of Del Cederquist, the longest-serving school board member in American history. For that alone, Del is well worth remembering, but my connection to him was more personal.

Del was a mentor and friend to hundreds of school board members over the years, but I am one of the few who had the pleasure of serving alongside him as a school trustee. It is one of the great blessings of my life and I could not imagine a more knowledgeable guide or one who was more passionate about public education. Fortunately for me and for others he touched in his life, Del not only had passion for schools, he was also committed to sharing that passion with others. His commitment to and belief in public education was contagious and he was always preaching the gospel, seeking new converts, and helping others find their own sense of purpose and way of giving back.

And if we ever lacked confidence, Del was quick to pick us up with a word of advice and some encouragement. When I was uncertain about a course of action or whether I could achieve a difficult task, Del would frequently tell me, “You’ve got this,” and that was all I needed to push on. Del may be gone now, but his memory and example remain. If we hope to achieve our goals for public schools and the students we serve, we must follow in his footsteps by constantly improving our own practice and extending a helping hand to less experienced board members as they find their way in this unique endeavor.

I’ve served on school boards for 37 years, and for that entire time, I’ve heard people talk about the importance of good role models for our students. I couldn’t agree with this sentiment more — we need people who can lead our students by example. But what’s sometimes overlooked is that adults need mentors as well. This is particularly true given that we have more first- and second-term members than during any period in recent memory, and perhaps more new trustees than at any time in the history of California schools.

Nothing can completely prepare a new trustee for the challenges and rigors of the job, but engagement is where learning begins. To help new trustees, many boards establish mentorship programs to help newcomers navigate the nuances of their role and service. Relationships matter and building a rapport with fellow board members and having someone that will provide answers to questions, as well as encouragement to step up and speak up, is vital.

In addition to finding a mentor, becoming a team member involves educating oneself on the roles and responsibilities of the job. CSBA has a proven program for individuals to progressively gain the knowledge and skills to engage in their governance duties effectively. During the first 100 days of service, participation in the one-day Orientation for New Trustees workshop will lay the foundational pillars of your governance education. As your first term proceeds, a natural next step is to attend the two-day Institute for New Board Members, where you begin ramping up your knowledge.

Becoming a highly effective school board trustee involves continuously honing your knowledge of how board decisions impact the fiscal security, student learning and educational future of students in your district. CSBA’s Masters in Governance® Program provides a deep dive into topics such as policy and judicial review, collective bargaining, and student learning and achievement. Mentorship and education go hand in hand and are vital to establishing the foundation for a successful board member.

Del exhibited the continuous improvement that is critical to effective governance practice, but he didn’t stop with just making himself a better board member. He spread his knowledge, his experience and his concern to his colleagues and always kept children at the center of his decisions. I will always be grateful for all I learned from Del, and I hope that we can all honor his legacy by being continuous learners and generous mentors with an unwavering commitment to public schools.