Be Legendary School Board Leadership Institute

Student outcomes do not change until adult behaviors change. 

In 2022, the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction launched the Be Legendary School Board Leadership Institute, an intensive program designed for governing teams (school boards with their superintendents) that are dedicated to continually sharpening and cultivating their focus on one primary objective: improving student outcomes. It is a unique opportunity for governing teams that are committed to pushing themselves to do even more for their students. In 2023, the North Dakota legislature funded the goal to train all 168 North Dakota school boards. Beginning in the fall of 2025, the North Dakota School Boards Association will oversee and facilitate the training for school boards. 

Be Legendary School Board Leadership Institute is based on six critical pillars to transform school board performance:

1. ADOPTING STUDENT OUTCOME GOALS
   Adopt three student outcome goals aligned to the ND K-12 Strategic Vision and goals.

2. ADOPTING GOAL PROGRESS MEASURES
   Adopt no more than four student outcome goal progress measures for each student outcome goal.

3. ADOPTING GUARDRAILS
   Adopting theory of action, three to five superintendent guardrails, no more than five superintendent guardrail progress measures for each superintendent guardrail, and school board guardrails.

4. MONITORING STUDENT OUTCOMES
   Monitoring student outcome goals and student outcome goal progress measures, with a school board-adopted monitoring calendar.

5. STRUCTURING FOR SUCCESS
   Structuring the school board and leadership team for success.

6. ACTIVE TEAMWORK AND ADVOCACY
   Active teamwork and coaching support including school board quarterly self-evaluation. 

School Board members are important leaders in their school systems and hold the power to dramatically improve student achievement. Although not required, it is recommended that two or three separate school boards participate in training to learn from and with each other. This approach also provides a larger discount for your school district.

Cost

The State of North Dakota will cover 50% of the cost for the Be Legendary School Board Leadership certification. Discounted rates are available when two or more school boards attend training together:

One School Board

• Total cost for training: $8,700
• NDDPI pays: 50%
• Cost to school board: $4,350

Two School Boards

• Total cost for training: $12,500
• NDDPI pays: 50%
• Cost per school board: $3,125

Three School Boards

• Total cost for training: $15,500
• NDDPI pays: 50%
• Cost per school board: $2,583

School boards participating in this training may invite an unlimited number of school leaders/personnel to attend at no additional cost. School board members who complete the two-day training will earn the Be Legendary School Board Leadership Certification.

EduRecoverHub has highlighted the wonderful work being done in North Dakota surrounding the Be Legendary School Board Institute Training! Their video details how truly remarkable and transformative this training is. The Be Legendary School Board Institute lays the foundation to create adult behavioral changes that will impact and positively influence student outcomes.