The five-member board is one of seven boards statewide invited to the conference, Leadership GSBA, at the Heart of Georgia Technical College in Dublin.

The Lawrenceville-based Georgia School Boards Association is sponsoring the new program with Georgia Power, which is paying the expenses.

The purpose is to show the school boards and superintendents ways to develop stronger leadership skills and a deeper understanding of educational issues.

"The most effective governance structure for our public schools is one where the school board and superintendent work together in finding ways to improve student achievement," said the association's executive director, Jeannie M. "Sis" Henry.

"Through collaborations such as this, we can make great strides in helping our public schools become even better."

Gainesville board member Frank Harben said trust and respect are keys to building rapport between board members and the superintendent.

"One of the things we've done with (Superintendent Steven) Ballowe's leadership is developing a performance accountability model, where we quantify what his goals and objectives are and what the system's goals and objectives are," Harben said.

Other board members are Lee Highsmith, Kelvin Simmons and David Syfan. Willie Mitchell serves as the board chairman.

The group will be joined in Dublin by boards from DeKalb, Dooly, Floyd, Glynn, Greene and Lowndes counties.

The boards will return for sessions on Sept. 16 and Oct. 21.