OnDemand: Understanding the Purpose of Board Meetings, Work Sessions, and Standing Committees

This microcredential equips school board members with a practical understanding of how their three core governance toolsL board meetings, work sessions, and committees - are designed to function under Virginia law and best practice. Participants will learn how each setting serves a distinct purpose in the board’s work, why all three remain board-owned tools, and how to use them strategically without ceding authority to staff or outside actors. Through short explanations and real-world examples, members will build confidence in structuring productive work sessions, preserving transparency in meetings, and maintaining clear lines of board accountability while collaborating effectively with the superintendent and division leadership.