By Melissa Ewing, Peoria Unified governing board member
In the orchestration of a successful school board meeting, seating arrangements may seem like a minor detail, but they send powerful signals and shape the tone of governance.
A high-functioning board thrives on clarity, collaboration, and public trust. The way board members and the board president are seated at the dais plays an unspoken but essential role in achieving that.
Strategic seating reinforces leadership structure. When the board president is centrally placed, flanked symmetrically by members, it affirms their role in guiding the meeting. It creates visual order and helps the public understand who is facilitating discussion and maintaining decorum.
By contrast, placing the board president at the far end of the dais disrupts that dynamic. It diminishes the visual authority of the president’s role and can confuse the public about who is leading the meeting. It also makes it harder for the president to effectively manage discussion, particularly during moments that require steady leadership and clear guidance. Without strong central presence, meetings risk becoming fragmented.
Proximity matters. Grouping members in a way that reflects their governance roles — not seniority, preference, or politics — promotes balanced interaction. It discourages side conversations or perceived factions and fosters a unified focus on district priorities.
In short, seating is not about power — it’s about purpose. Just as teachers design classroom seating to support learning, boards must be intentional in shaping a physical space that supports effective governance. When form follows function, the board models professionalism, fairness, and order — core values every school system should reflect. The board president has the authority to change the seating arrangement, along with the organization of the agenda, and those should reflect key school board values.
