Board meetings follow specific rules of order and proceed in accordance with a published agenda. Copies of the agenda are available in advance of the meeting at the District Office and on the district’s website. Board members receive the agenda and supporting materials prior to the meeting so that they have ample time to carefully consider each item requiring action. District administrators regularly attend Board meetings to provide information and guidance as needed. In addition to the regular business conducted, meetings often include presentations and student recognition.

The Board encourages community members to participate in Board meetings and has set aside time at the beginning of each meeting for residents to be heard. This “public participation” gives anyone who wishes the opportunity to address the Board on items included on the agenda, as well as those that are not agenda-specific. When you arrive at the Board meeting, kindly complete the blue form indicating your desire to speak before the Board and give it to the district clerk. The Board encourages all residents to keep their remarks brief and to the point, as each speaker is allotted a time limit of three minutes.

If you have specific concerns about your child and/or his or her school, you should initially discuss them with the teacher, subject administrator, guidance counselor or building principal closest to the issue. Following this, you may take your concern to a district office administrator. After you have worked with staff members and administrators, then the matter may be referred to the Board of Education.

In broad terms, the Board of Education, which is elected to represent the view of the community in educational matters, sets policy that guides the administration of our schools. The Board’s responsibilities include: hiring the superintendent, assistant superintendents, administrative staff and teachers, adopting curriculum, securing money for operational needs and programs, authorizing expenditures and determining goals and standards.

The Board’s major function is to develop and adopt district policy governing many facets of school operation, including employment of staff personnel, administration of pupil services, educational programs, instructional material, school facilities, equipment, finance and support services. The Board can adopt policy on the recommendation of the superintendent, but the final decision on policy cannot be delegated. The Board delegates the implementation of policies to the superintendent of schools. It evaluates the execution and effect of policy through observation, special oversight studies and periodic reports by administrative officers.

The Board delegates the task of recruiting, interviewing, evaluating, promoting and disciplining staff (in accordance with Board policy) to the superintendent. The Board is responsible for establishing policy governing salaries and salary schedules, terms and conditions of employment, fringe benefits, leave and in-service training. The Board must ratify all collective bargaining agreements.

The Board is responsible for recruiting, hiring and evaluating the performance of the superintendent who will carry out its policy. This task cannot be delegated. The Board exercises daily supervision and control primarily through its chief administrator and does not deal directly with individual staff members employed to assist the superintendent in implementing Board directives.

The superintendent of schools is essentially the Board’s “CEO.” Appointed by the Board, the district’s chief executive officer, who is assisted by an administrative team, directs the day-to-day operation of the district, advises the Board on its needs and programs, and implements Board policy.