Table of Contents

Policy 2.1: General (Sept)

Policy 2.2: Policies (Feb)

Policy 2.3: Regulations (Mar)

Policy 2.4: Meetings (Nov)

Policy 2.5: Budget (Aug)

Policy 2.6: Instruction (Apr)

Policy 2.7: Personnel (May)

Policy 2.8: Community Relations (Sep)

Policy 2.9: Labor Relations (May)

Policy 2.10: Student Services (June)

Policy 2.11: Facilities, Transportation & Food (Jan)

Policy 2.12: Board/Supt Relations (Oct)

Policy 2.13: Planning (July)

Policy 2.14: Board Prof Development (Dec)

---

2.1        GENERAL

BOARD

1. The Board’s link to the operation of the district is through the Superintendent, except as otherwise required by law.

2. The Board’s requests, decisions and directives when acting as an entity, are the only requests, decisions and directives binding on the Superintendent.

3. The Board will invest the Superintendent with the authority and the responsibilities that are in accordance with board policy and state and federal laws.

4. The Board will annually involve the community, parents/guardians, students and staff in developing expectations for the district.

5. The Board will provide community leadership on educational issues and will be advocates for public education at the local, state and federal levels.

6. The Board will participate in professional development and commit the time and energy necessary to be informed and effective leaders.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. The Superintendent will report the needs of the district to the Board.

2. The Superintendent will recommend a comprehensive district plan to meet expectations adopted by the Board.

3. The Superintendent will coordinate, supervise and manage the operation of the district.

4. The Superintendent will provide leadership to the Board, staff, students and community in meeting district expectations.

5. The Superintendent will keep the Board aware of local, state and national educational developments and changes.

6. The Superintendent will continually upgrade his/her professional knowledge and qualifications.

7. The Superintendent is empowered to delegate authority and responsibilities to staff members, as he/she deems appropriate.

8. The Superintendent will implement board directives.

2.2        POLICY

BOARD

1. The Board will establish all written governance policies and operational policies.  

2. The Board, when necessary, will clarify for the Superintendent the intent of board policies.

3. The Board will review and monitor the district vision and mission, governance policies, roles and responsibilities policies, and expectation policies.

      4.    The Board will provide to the Superintendent written policies which prescribe the expectations to be achieved.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. The Superintendent will implement board policies.

2. The Superintendent will act as an advisor to the Board in areas needing policy development or revision.

3. The Superintendent will maintain a current, up-to-date manual of adopted governance policies and operational policies.

      4.   The Superintendent will take reasonable steps to avoid causing or allowing conditions, procedures, actions or decisions that are or have the potential of being unlawful, unethical, unsafe, disrespectful, undignified or in violation of board policy.  

2.3        REGULATIONS

BOARD

1. The Board need not review administrative procedures, rules and regulations prior to their issuance.

2. The Board reserves the right to review administrative procedures and regulations at its discretion.

3. The Board will direct the Superintendent to revise regulations when, in the Board’s judgment, they fail to properly affect the policies adopted by the Board.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. The Superintendent will develop and maintain a current, up-to-date manual of  administrative procedures, rules and regulations.

2.         The Superintendent will operate with written procedures, rules and regulations that are consistent with law and board policy.

3.   The Superintendent may deviate from administrative procedures, and/or rules and regulations for good cause or in case of emergency.  

2.4        MEETINGS

BOARD

1. The Board will perform all actions in public board meetings in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

2. The Board will hold all meetings, including executive sessions, in the presence of the Superintendent, or his/her designated administrator, except when his/her contract and salary are under consideration, or when due process requires his/her absence from the meeting.

3. The Board will utilize executive sessions in accordance with state statutes.

4. The Board will establish the operational procedures for meetings.

5. The Board chairman and/or vice-chairman, with assistance from the Superintendent will develop the meeting agenda.

6. The Board will identify, for the superintendent, specific information needed to assist the Board in making final decisions.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. The Superintendent will serve as an advisor to the Board during official meetings.

2. The Superintendent will ensure compliance with all legal requirements relative to the posting of notices and maintenance of meeting records.

3. The Superintendent will ensure that board meetings, including executive sessions, meet the requirements of law.

4. The Superintendent will assist the chairman and/or vice-chairman in developing the meeting agenda.

5. The Superintendent will give to the Board as much information as deemed necessary to allow board members to make informed decisions.

6.  The Superintendent will provide the Board with the agenda and supporting materials in an agreed upon time frame.

2.5        BUDGET/FINANCE

BOARD

1. The Board will establish priorities for the financial management of the district.

2. The Board will provide the Superintendent with the board’s priorities and parameters for the development of the budget.

3. The Board will adopt a fiscally responsible budget based on the district’s vision and mission, and will continuously monitor the fiscal health of the district.

4. The Board will ensure that internal financial controls are in place.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. The Superintendent will present to the Board a detailed budget that is based upon the board’s priorities and parameters.

2. The Superintendent will administer the budget ensuring that all legal requirements are met.

3. The Superintendent shall take steps to ensure that:  

• the fiscal condition of the district is consistent with the board’s vision and expectations

• the long-term financial health of the district is sound
• the Board is notified prior to any spending that materially deviates from the annual budget adopted by the Board
• the Board’s ultimate authority to determine the financial matters of the district is adhered to.

4. The Superintendent shall ensure that assets are reasonably protected, adequately maintained and appropriately used.

5.        The Superintendent will act as a resource to the Board on all financial matters of the district.

2.6        INSTRUCTION

BOARD

1. The Board will establish the vision, mission and expectations for the district.

2. The Board will adopt new and /or changes to standards and instructional programs as appropriate to meet district, state and federal requirements.

3. The Board will adopt graduation requirements conforming to district, state and federal  standards.

4. The Board will annually report to the community the status of education in the district.

5.   The Board will approve the annual district calendar.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. The Superintendent is responsible for the continuous development, implementation, and evaluation of the instructional programs that focus on student learning.

2. The Superintendent will provide leadership in meeting the district, state and federal  standards.

3. The Superintendent will recommend appropriate promotion standards and methods to measure their attainment.

4. The Superintendent will schedule presentations and reports by staff on assessments and instructional programs.

5. The Superintendent will prepare and recommend a district calendar for the next school year.

2.7        PERSONNEL

BOARD

1. The Board will employ and evaluate the Superintendent.

2. The Board will give direction only to the Superintendent, except as required by law.  

3. The Board will participate in disciplining employees, other than the Superintendent, only when required by law.

4. The Board will employ certified staff only after consideration of the recommendation of the Superintendent.

5. The Board in dealing with personnel complaints, or concerns, will adhere to the district’s chain of command.

6. The Board will act on personnel matters only after consideration of the superintendent’s recommendations.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. Except as otherwise provided by law, all authority over staff members of the district shall rest with the Superintendent and all staff members of the district shall be accountable to the Superintendent.

2. The Superintendent will make a recommendation to the Board regarding the employment of all certified staff.  Either the Superintendent or a member of the Board may initiate the dismissal of certified and classified staff.

3. The Superintendent will be responsible for the employment of classified staff.

4. The Superintendent will establish job descriptions, assign staff, and establish a comprehensive evaluation system for all staff.

5. The Superintendent will serve as the board’s liaison with staff.

6. The Superintendent will take reasonable steps to ensure conditions, procedures, actions or decisions that result in lawful, ethical, safe, respectful and dignified treatment of staff and volunteers.

7. The Superintendent will make reasonable background inquiries and checks prior to hiring any paid personnel.  

8. The Superintendent will evaluate district administrators.

9. The Superintendent will report to the Board those employees who are under disciplinary or instructional plans.

10. The Superintendent is empowered to delegate authority to staff members, as he/she deems appropriate.

2.8        COMMUNITY RELATIONS

BOARD

1. The Board will hold itself accountable to the citizens of the district by focusing on the vision, mission and expectations of the district.

2. The Board will acquire input from students, staff, parents, and the community.

3. The Board will maintain an awareness of community values, concerns and interests.

4. The Board will channel all complaints and/or grievances through the district’s chain of command.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. The Superintendent will be responsible for informing district patrons of school programs and activities.

2. The Superintendent will establish a working relationship with the news media.

3. The Superintendent will make recommendations to the Board for resolution of complaints not resolved at the administrative level.

4. The Superintendent will serve as the board’s liaison with standing and advisory committees.

5. The Superintendent will take reasonable steps to ensure that the district maintains accountability to all district standards and programs.

6. The Superintendent will take reasonable steps to ensure conditions, procedures, actions or decisions that result in lawful, ethical, safe, respectful and dignified treatment of students, parents and district patrons.

2.9        LABOR RELATIONS

BOARD

1. The Board will establish guidelines for the salary discussion process for certified and classified personnel.

2. The Board will adopt salary schedules and/or set salaries for all employees.

3.   The Board is responsible for the Superintendent’s contract, benefits and salary.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. The Superintendent will develop and recommend to the Board, compensation and benefit plans.

2. The Superintendent will provide factual data to the Board and/or salary committee for the adoption of salary schedules.

3. The Superintendent will administer contracts and/or agreements in accordance with all  regulations.

2.10        STUDENT SERVICES

BOARD

1.        The Board will establish district policies and expectations for student programs.

2.        The Board will focus the district on learning and achievement for all students.

3.        The Board requires that the Superintendent develop and implement administrative procedures, and/or rules and regulations for maintaining student services.

4. The Board requires that the Superintendent develop and consistently maintain administrative procedures, and/or rules and regulations to ensure that a safe and appropriate educational environment is provided to all students.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. The Superintendent will take reasonable steps to create a school environment that is safe, conducive to the learning process and free from unnecessary disruption.

2. The Superintendent will develop and implement administrative procedures, and/or rules and regulations to maintain adequate student services including, but not limited to, admission, attendance, activities, discipline, rights and responsibilities.

3. The Superintendent will develop and implement administrative procedures, and/or rules and regulations to deal with health and safety issues, including emergencies.

4. The Superintendent will promote an environment that focuses on success for all students.

5. The Superintendent will provide for the direction and supervision of student activities.

2.11        FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, FOOD SERVICES

BOARD

1. The Board will develop and adopt policies for governing the use of public buildings, grounds and equipment.

2. The Board will prioritize construction and building renovation needs of the district.

3.   The Board will develop and adopt policies for governing transportation and food services.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. The Superintendent will develop and implement administrative procedures, and/or rules and regulations that adhere to district policy, for the supervision of public use of buildings, grounds, facilities and equipment.

2. The Superintendent will be responsible for the upkeep of facilities and prioritize long-range plans for preventive maintenance of buildings, grounds and equipment.

3.   The Superintendent will develop and implement administrative procedures, and/or rules and regulations that adhere to district policy, for the supervision of the district’s transportation service, food service program and assign staff as appropriate.

2.12        BOARD SUPERINTENDENT RELATIONSHIPS

BOARD

1.  The Board will support the distinction between the Board’s role and the role of the Superintendent.

2.  The Board and individual board members will avoid interference with the Superintendent’s duties.

3.  The Board encourages open discussion and diverse opinions in addressing important and sensitive issues.

4.  The Board will provide regular opportunities for open communication between the Board and the Superintendent.

SUPERINTENDENT

1.  The Superintendent interprets, clarifies, assembles data, and provides professional guidance and assistance to the Board.

2.  The Superintendent provides recommendations for Board action on agenda items.

3.  The Superintendent is responsive to Board requests and directives for information.

4.  The Superintendent provides regulations, instructions, and follow-up for employees in such a way as to oversee the Board of Trustee’s implementation of district policies.

5.  The Superintendent keeps the Board informed of district programs, operations, condition of the schools, and other issues or problems.

6. The Superintendent brings special issues to the attention of the Board in a timely fashion.

7.  The Superintendent will assist the Board in board development leadership training.      

   ---

2.13        PLANNING

BOARD

1. The Board sets a “clear direction” for the district, by establishing the district vision, mission, goals, and student achievement expectation(s) for the instructional program of the district.  

2. The Board annually establishes expectations for student achievement and regularly monitors progress toward those target expectations during the school year.

3. The Board and Superintendent collaborate on the development of long and short term expectations and a process for the assessment of progress and performance through the use of an annual Superintendent Evaluation and Board Self Evaluation.

4. The Board requires the Superintendent to report district progress on all expectations at designated intervals during the year.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. The Superintendent will provide assistance to the Board in setting a “clear direction” as they establish the district vision, mission, and student achievement expectations.

2. The Superintendent will provide assistance to the Board in the establishment of annual expectations for student achievement.

3. The Superintendent will provide assistance to the Board as they regularly monitor progress on expectations.

4. The Superintendent will report progress to the Board on expectations at designated intervals during the year.

2.14        BOARD ORIENTATION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

BOARD

1.  The Board has a process in place to orient newly-elected or appointed board members.

2.  This process of orientation shall include the following components:

   * details the differences in responsibilities between the Board and administration,

        * review of the Leadership Governance manual,

        * explains the educational relationships and chains of command.

3.  The Board will subscribe to and read professional publications and educational periodicals.

4.  The Board will stay informed and promote its own professional development.

5. The Board will attend training opportunities, i.e. conferences, workshops and training sessions.

6. The Board uses pertinent data, research, and consulting services as needed.

SUPERINTENDENT

1. The Superintendent will assist the Board in establishing a process to orient newly-elected or appointed board members.

2. The Superintendent will provide the Board with updates on professional development, conferences and workshops.

3. The Superintendent will provide the Board with relevant data and research as deemed timely and appropriate.