Board Leadership Bites Tue, 13 Oct 2026 09:00:01 -0400 https://boardleadershipbites.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Board Leadership Bites yes 590e5df4-c9b8-5955-a0c2-1d87700df185 Ali Colwell episodic false Board Leadership Bites is the podcast for Kansas school board members and education leaders looking for practical insights they can put to work right away. Hosted by Dr. Brian Jordan, each bite-sized episode explores timely topics, leadership strategies and real-world challenges facing school boards today.

Whether you're a new board member or an experienced leader, you'll gain valuable perspectives, actionable ideas and expert guidance to help strengthen your board, support your district and lead with confidence.


Big leadership ideas. Bite-sized conversations for better boards.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Ali Colwell https://storage.buzzsprout.com/mb1428yqo5kmjt2jl6mlisseu6t4?.jpg Board Leadership Bites https://boardleadershipbites.buzzsprout.com Do Bad Grades Mean You’re Dumb? Rethinking What Grades Tell Us Do Bad Grades Mean You’re Dumb? Rethinking What Grades Tell Us Do grades tell the whole story of a student’s intelligence and potential? Or are they just one piece of a much bigger picture?

In this episode of Board Leadership Bites, Dr. Brian Jordan, KASB Executive Director, talks with Curt Herman, KASB President-Elect and Manhattan-Ogden school board member, about what grades actually measure, what they might miss and how school boards can help shape a broader understanding of student success.

They discuss the importance of looking beyond test scores and report cards to recognize qualities like creativity, curiosity, leadership and resilience. They also explore how boards can interpret academic data thoughtfully and help families understand that one disappointing grade doesn’t define a student’s potential.

The takeaway? Grades measure performance, but they don’t measure potential.

This episode of Board Leadership Bites is sponsored by Weins & Company, a firm serving the education sector with construction, design and facility-related solutions.

Learn more at WiensCo.com.

]]> Do grades tell the whole story of a student’s intelligence and potential? Or are they just one piece of a much bigger picture?

In this episode of Board Leadership Bites, Dr. Brian Jordan, KASB Executive Director, talks with Curt Herman, KASB President-Elect and Manhattan-Ogden school board member, about what grades actually measure, what they might miss and how school boards can help shape a broader understanding of student success.

They discuss the importance of looking beyond test scores and report cards to recognize qualities like creativity, curiosity, leadership and resilience. They also explore how boards can interpret academic data thoughtfully and help families understand that one disappointing grade doesn’t define a student’s potential.

The takeaway? Grades measure performance, but they don’t measure potential.

This episode of Board Leadership Bites is sponsored by Weins & Company, a firm serving the education sector with construction, design and facility-related solutions.

Learn more at WiensCo.com.

]]> Buzzsprout-19949133 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0500 474 1 5 full false Public Comment That’s Predictable, Not Painful Public Comment That’s Predictable, Not Painful Public comment is one of the most visible—and sometimes stressful—parts of a school board meeting. So how can boards create a process that is open, fair and predictable for everyone?

In this episode of Board Leadership Bites, Dr. Brian Jordan, KASB Executive Director, talks with an Executive Team board member about navigating public comment, setting clear expectations and maintaining a consistent process—even when emotions run high.

They discuss the importance of reasonable rules, consistent enforcement, calm leadership and remembering that public comment is an opportunity to be heard, not a debate in real time.

The takeaway? Predictability creates fairness, and fairness builds trust.

This episode of Board Leadership Bites is sponsored by Piper Sandler, a partner to K–12 school districts providing education finance and financial advisory services to help districts navigate complex financial decisions and plan for the future.

Learn more at PiperSandler.com.

]]> Public comment is one of the most visible—and sometimes stressful—parts of a school board meeting. So how can boards create a process that is open, fair and predictable for everyone?

In this episode of Board Leadership Bites, Dr. Brian Jordan, KASB Executive Director, talks with an Executive Team board member about navigating public comment, setting clear expectations and maintaining a consistent process—even when emotions run high.

They discuss the importance of reasonable rules, consistent enforcement, calm leadership and remembering that public comment is an opportunity to be heard, not a debate in real time.

The takeaway? Predictability creates fairness, and fairness builds trust.

This episode of Board Leadership Bites is sponsored by Piper Sandler, a partner to K–12 school districts providing education finance and financial advisory services to help districts navigate complex financial decisions and plan for the future.

Learn more at PiperSandler.com.

]]> Ali Colwell Buzzsprout-19874806 Tue, 29 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0500 572 1 4 full false Disagree Without Division: Norms that Work Disagree Without Division: Norms that Work In this episode of Board Leadership Bites, Dr.Brian Jordan sits down with Curt Herman, Manhattan-Ogden board member and KASB President-Elect, to explore the leadership and governance practices that help school boards navigate challenges, build trust and stay focused on their long-term goals.

Together, Brian and Curt discuss the importance of thoughtful decision-making, productive board conversations and keeping student and community needs at the center of effective governance. Tune in for practical insights to help school board members lead with clarity, purpose and a long-term perspective.

This episode of Board Leadership Bites is sponsored by Navitas, a partner to K–12 school districts providing strategic capital planning, energy savings, infrastructure renewal and facility optimization solutions.

Learn more at Navitas.us.com.

]]> In this episode of Board Leadership Bites, Dr.Brian Jordan sits down with Curt Herman, Manhattan-Ogden board member and KASB President-Elect, to explore the leadership and governance practices that help school boards navigate challenges, build trust and stay focused on their long-term goals.

Together, Brian and Curt discuss the importance of thoughtful decision-making, productive board conversations and keeping student and community needs at the center of effective governance. Tune in for practical insights to help school board members lead with clarity, purpose and a long-term perspective.

This episode of Board Leadership Bites is sponsored by Navitas, a partner to K–12 school districts providing strategic capital planning, energy savings, infrastructure renewal and facility optimization solutions.

Learn more at Navitas.us.com.

]]> Ali Colwell Buzzsprout-19806281 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:00:00 -0500 635 1 3 full false Roles That Build Trust: Board vs. Superintendent Roles That Build Trust: Board vs. Superintendent Clear roles are the foundation of a strong board–superintendent relationship. In this episode of Board Leadership Bites, Brian Jordan and KASB Past President  Kevin Cole explore how role clarity, trust, communication and mutual respect help boards and superintendents work effectively together. From “the board governs; the superintendent manages” to practicing “no surprises,” discover the everyday leadership norms that build stronger governance.

This episode of Board Leadership Bites is sponsored by Stifel, a trusted partner in public finance for K–12 school districts.

https://stifelinstitutional.com/

]]> Clear roles are the foundation of a strong board–superintendent relationship. In this episode of Board Leadership Bites, Brian Jordan and KASB Past President  Kevin Cole explore how role clarity, trust, communication and mutual respect help boards and superintendents work effectively together. From “the board governs; the superintendent manages” to practicing “no surprises,” discover the everyday leadership norms that build stronger governance.

This episode of Board Leadership Bites is sponsored by Stifel, a trusted partner in public finance for K–12 school districts.

https://stifelinstitutional.com/

]]> Ali Colwell Buzzsprout-19732774 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:00:00 -0500 618 1 2 full false Communicating as One Voice: Board Aligned Messaging Communicating as One Voice: Board Aligned Messaging Strong boards know that healthy debate happens in the boardroom—but alignment matters when decisions are made. In this episode of Board Leadership Bites, Brian Jordan and an KASB President, Dr. Emily Riner, explore how consistent communication builds trust, supports superintendents and strengthens governance. Learn how boards can practice message discipline, clarify decisions and communicate with confidence as one voice.


]]> Strong boards know that healthy debate happens in the boardroom—but alignment matters when decisions are made. In this episode of Board Leadership Bites, Brian Jordan and an KASB President, Dr. Emily Riner, explore how consistent communication builds trust, supports superintendents and strengthens governance. Learn how boards can practice message discipline, clarify decisions and communicate with confidence as one voice.


]]> Ali Colwell Buzzsprout-19661801 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0500 709 1 1 full false