About the Board

Role of the Board                                                                                

The School Board is the policy-making body of our school district. The Board is responsible and accountable for planning, policy, advocacy and evaluation. Specifically the Board's mission lies in the following:

• Adopting policy
• Planning and assessing short-term and long-term goals
• Realizing the Strategic Plan
• Acting as liaison between the community and the district
• Selecting and evaluating the superintendent
• Advocating for students, the district and public education
• Approving a budget that reflects the priorities of the district and a responsible use of funds

 The School Board is focused on advancing the mission of the district:

"All Students will become life-long learners, responsible decision-makers and contributing citizens. All students will receive a quality education that prepares them for the future."

Organization of the Board                                                                   

The Board consists of five citizens of the school district, representing five director districts. However, they are elected by and represent all citizens of the school district. Each Board member is elected for a four-year term. Members, by choice, serve without pay. A President and Vice President are elected annually, and a Legislative Representative is elected every two years.

School Board Meetings                                                                       

We appreciate everyone's interest in our schools and encourage the public to attend School Board meetings. Community participation is a vital part of our school system's success.

Regular School Board meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month except in December, June, July and August when there is only one regular meeting per month. A schedule of meeting dates, times and locations for the current school year can be found on the enclosed insert. Should this schedule change or should there be the need to schedule a special meeting, public notice is given through the news media and the district website

All regular and special Board meetings are open to the public, and all actions authorized or required by law are taken at these meetings. However, the Board may meet in closed (executive) session to discuss matters dealing with personnel performance, real estate or employee negotiations. Minutes of all regular and special Board meetings are matters of public record.

Addressing the Board                                                                          

Visitors are always welcome at School Board meetings. The purpose of Board meetings is for the Board to conduct its business in public, not to provide a public forum. However, the Board is interested in receiving input from community members on various agenda items. In addition, each regular Board meeting agenda includes a Public Comment section during which citizens may address the Board regarding topics that are not on the agenda.

The following will apply to all who wish to address the Board at a Board meeting:

• 1. Sign up before the meeting begins on the sheet provided.
• 2. Wait to be recognized by the Board President at the appropriate point on the agenda and introduce yourself before sharing your remarks.
• 3. Speaking time may be limited to ensure that all those interested have opportunity to speak. Public comments usually take no more than about three minutes each.
• 4. The Board will limit public comment on a particular topic to no more than about 30 minutes.

While the Board welcomes and anticipates much positive input, the Board President may interrupt or terminate an individual's statement when it is personally directed, abusive, obscene, irrelevant or too lengthy. The Board will not entertain complaints regarding any individual staff member or student in public session unless that individual has requested a public hearing.

In addition to addressing the Board at a regular meeting, citizens may also bring issues to the attention of the Board by writing to the School Board or by telephoning or e-mailing individual Board members. Citizens are reminded that all written communications addressed to school officials, including e-mail messages, may be considered public records.

Citizens are encouraged to try to resolve issues with teachers, school principals, other district personnel or the superintendent before bringing matters to the Board.