Powers & Duties

The School Board retains and exercises full legislative and policy making authority and control over the schools of the district in accordance with state laws and regulations. Specifically, the Board shall consider the following tasks among its major functions:

Personnel

a) Enter into a contract with the District Administrator on such terms and for such period of time as the Board may desire not to exceed the period of time authorized by law.

b) Appoint or promote, upon nomination and recommendation of the District Administrator, qualified persons to fill employee vacancies in the school system.

c) Adopt, after consultation with employee groups, competitive wage and salary structures, leave provisions and other policies dealing with conditions of employment.

d) Present personal/professional criticism of any employee directly to the District Administrator.

e) Insist on the regular and impartial evaluation of all staff in accordance with established district procedures.

f) Support staff development.

g) Provide the necessary equipment, tools and climate for staff members to perform their duties.

Curriculum

a) Decide the general scope and nature of the educational offerings of the district and the grade levels at which they will be taught.

b) Enforce state and federal rules and regulations with respect to the instructional program.

c) Approve the school calendar as part of the collective bargaining agreement, or unilaterally if negotiations are at an impasse.

d) Appraise the present and future educational needs of the community.

Finance

a) Work for adequate financial support of the schools at both the local and state levels.

b) Maintain control over all funds, including student fees and other activity fees.

c) Approve the annual budget prepared by the District Administrator and hold a public budget hearing on said budget at the annual meeting.

d) Upon adoption of the budget and in accordance with state law, notify municipal clerks within the district concerning the proportionate amount of tax that must be raised by their municipalities for school operations.

e) Approve claims made for services rendered and materials delivered as submitted by the Administrator.

f) Adopt policies concerning purchasing, accounting for school funds, investment of monies, charging of fees and other business-related areas as may be appropriate and necessary.

g) Approve arrangements for borrowing temporary funds and approve the borrowing of long-term funds for building purposes pursuant to state law.

Buildings and Grounds

a) See that the necessary facilities and resources are provided for the proper functioning of district schools.

b) When new facilities are required, decide where they will be located, what they will include and how they will be built. Employ architects, contractors, bond counsel and other professionals as may be needed.

c) Purchase and sell sites as authorized by the electorate.

d) Approve maintenance requirements.

Students

a) Determine admission standards, graduation requirements, health and personnel services, school lunches and discipline, including expulsion from school.

b) Fix tuition charges and waive tuition charges if necessary for the welfare of the child or for reasons authorized by law.

c) Administer scholarship trust funds as directed in the bequest.

Community

a) Seek community input on school district issues and maintain open communications with citizens in the community.

b) Keep citizens informed of the educational needs of the district as well as the actions of the Board and accomplishments of the district's educational program.

c) Make buildings and facilities available to community groups as per fee schedule.

d) Encourage citizens to take up matters of concern directly with the appropriate staff so they may attempt to resolve the problem as per board policy.

e) Accept gifts, grants, donations, devices and titles to properties on behalf of the district.

Management

a) Insist that all Board business be conducted at properly noticed meetings in open session, except as exempted by state law.

b) Delegate, implement and disseminate the policy and administration of regulations to the District Administrator and his/her staff.

c) Require and discuss reports of the District Administrator concerning the progress of the schools.

d) Consider for approval, recommendations of the District Administrator.

e) Prescribe rules for the conduct of elections, give notice of elections, designate and provide polling places, appoint election officials and attend to all matters pertaining to Board elections as set forth in state laws and regulations.

f) The Board may authorize necessary standing committees. In addition, establishment or dissolution of special committees is authorized when necessary.