Example Site 1

The local school board grew out of the town meeting, dating back more than 200 years to the original 13 colonies. Times have changed, but the basic function of school boards today remains the same: to provide local citizen control over public education. This means that the school board should represent the citizens of the school district – not just some of the citizens, but all of them.

School boards are local policy makers, and the policies they set have the force of law at the local level. The guidance and control that the board provides through its policies is critical to the successful operation of the school system and to setting a direction for staff. One of the most important jobs of a school board is to employ a superintendent and to hold the superintendent responsible for managing the schools in accordance with federal law, state law and the school board’s policies. The board also should set educational goals for the school, based upon state laws and community values.

School Board Meetings are formal business meetings for the district where items are voted upon by the entire board for approval. Other than Recommended Routine Items, items that appear for a vote on the School Board agenda are usually researched and approved by a committee before being brought before the full board. Each meeting follows an agenda that establishes the sequence of events for that meeting. Meetings are conducted by the Board President. Meetings can last up to two or more hours, depending on the content of the agenda.

Board meetings are montly and are held on generally held on the first Thursday of each month or as specified. Meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. at the District Administration Building, [insert address]. Please check the district calendar for the most up-to-date information.

School board members are elected at regular biennial school elections, which are held on the first Tuesday in November of each odd-numbered year. A candidate for the school board must be a resident of the school district and a registered voter for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the election. A person who desires to be a candidate must file a nomination petition signed by 45 eligible electors of the school district.

All regular and special meetings of the board shall be open to the public, but the board may require any person who disturbs good order to leave.

The tradition has been to allow any visitor the opportunity to comment or ask questions of the board. Visitors may speak at a time specifically set aside during the meeting when visitors are recognized. Groups attending Board meetings are asked to appoint a spokesperson, and all visitors are asked to limit their remarks to five minutes. The Board President recognizes visitors who wish to comment, maintains order during the meeting, and calls an end to comments and discussion when this seems appropriate.