The Zoom Muzzle Syndrome

Board-Savvy Superintendent

SINCE MID-MARCH, I’ve participated in numerous virtual work sessions of client school boards and standing committees, employing the popular Zoom video conferencing platform. Zooming has made it possible for school boards to reach consensus on a range of governance improvement initiatives, often contributing to a healthy board-superintendent partnership.

There’s no question Zoom is a blessing, enabling clients to strengthen their governing structures and processes without exposing their board and executive team members to the COVID-19 virus. But only a couple of weeks into the new world of virtual meetings, I became aware of a malady that I think of as the “Zoom Muzzle Syndrome,” or ZMS.