Great ideas are worth sharing, and Lake George Central School District is helping lead the conversation on effective school board leadership across New York State. Lake George Board of Education President Katie Bruening, Vice President Maryanne MacKenzie, and Superintendent John Luthringer recently shared the district’s approach to leadership with 125 school board leaders at the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) Annual Convention in Buffalo.
Their presentation, “Governance by Design: Bringing Board Committees to Life Through Charters,” highlighted how Lake George has developed a collaborative approach to school board committees that strengthens communication, encourages thoughtful decision-making, and keeps students at the center of the conversation.
“It was a privilege to share Lake George’s work with board leaders from across the state,” said Superintendent John Luthringer. “What we presented reflects real collaboration between our Board and our district team, and I’m proud of what we’ve built together.”
At Lake George, much of the work that goes into important school board decisions happens long before a vote is taken. The district’s six standing board committees allow members to take a closer look at topics ranging from curriculum and school culture to facilities, finances, and district policies.
Each committee follows a written guide, known as a charter, that outlines its purpose, responsibilities, and goals. This structure helps keep conversations focused, encourages collaboration, and ensures committee members are working toward shared goals.
As one example, the team highlighted the policy committee, which reviews the district’s 266 active policies on a five-year rotation, tackling approximately 55 to 65 each year. The committee carefully considers everything from a policy’s purpose and intent to the language and tone used, helping ensure district policies remain clear, relevant, and reflective of the school community.
During the presentation, the leadership team shared how this approach works in practice, giving attendees an opportunity to evaluate their own committee structures and explore ideas they could bring back to their districts. Participants also received resources and templates developed by Lake George to help put those ideas into action.
The opportunity to share this work on a statewide stage reflects the strong partnership between its Board of Education and administrative team. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, its impact reaches throughout the district, helping guide decisions that support students, staff, and the entire school community.
It’s another example of how the work happening right here in Lake George can make an impact well beyond our district.