Being an RFSD
Board of Education
Director
Election 2025
WHAT IS A SCHOOL BOARD?
School boards are local non-partisan elected governmental bodies that establish and revise policies for school districts to ensure equitable educational opportunities for ALL students in the district.
They provide oversight for raising and spending public dollars in support of the district’s public schools, staff, and students.
The school board conducts its work through its relationship with and evaluation of the Superintendent.
WHO IS QUALIFIED TO SERVE ON A SCHOOL BOARD?
Board directors can be either elected or appointed.
The legal qualifications are:
HOW DOES A BOARD ACCOMPLISH ITS WORK?
The mechanics of board work come down to three simple principles:
HOW DOES THE BOARD WORK AS A GROUP?
The Board’s legislative role is applied through policy, resolutions or proclamations. Thereafter, the board simply monitors the superintendent’s implementation of its policies.
When it comes to the board’s judicial duties, such as holding hearings on student expulsions or employee terminations, the most important aspect of good board behavior is impartiality. To act as a fair judge, a board director needs to maintain distance from investigations and prosecution of the cases it will review. Thus, it is essential that boards rely on district employees and attorneys to conduct investigations.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN BOARD MEMBERS DISAGREE?
Districts can function effectively even when its board makes a decision through a split vote. When controversial issues come before the board, honest and healthy discussion and debate lead to better decision-making. Doing so transparently also helps the community understand the board considered varying viewpoints before making a decision.
Board members interested in the welfare of the district can disagree on issues without damaging their ability to work together. When difficulties arise on governance teams, it is the responsibility of the board to address them. This is best done through frank discussion in a manner that treats opinions with respect and courtesy.
Board members must accept decisions made by a majority vote. It is destructive for a governance member to disagree with a majority decision and then use the issue to promote community unrest or division.
In a democratic process, occasionally there will be disagreement. When the board decides on a split vote, dissenting voters will be given an opportunity to explain their stance. Then they will pledge to support, not undermine, the decision of the majority of the board. The most effective board is one who has learned to disagree agreeably and from an informed perspective.
HOW DOES A BOARD CONDUCT ITS WORK IN PUBLIC?
All meetings, defined as a gathering of three or more members of the board at which public business is discussed or at which any formal action may be taken, must be open to the public at all times. Social gatherings at which discussion of public business is not the central purpose are not considered meetings.
Boards must provide timely notice to the public about all meetings. Roaring Fork Schools holds regular meetings every other Wednesday each month generally beginning at 6:15 PM. Special meetings can be held on occasion, but must be clearly defined and limited in purpose. The board can also meet privately, outside the public eye, for Executive Sessions which are even more limited in scope.
The President or highest ranking officer present facilitates board meetings using Robert’s Rules of Order and following the established agenda, including allowing opportunity for public comment per board policy.
RFSD traditionally holds work sessions prior to each regular meeting generally beginning at 5:00 PM. These are designed for board members to seek and receive information, but not to take action.
HOW A BOARD CONDUCTS ITS WORK BY LAW?
In general, school board members are covered by the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, C.R.S. § 24-10-101, which shields public officials from liability for good-faith action taken in the performance of the school board member’s official duties. The Roaring Fork School District also carries liability insurance that protects employees and governance team members.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF EACH INDIVIDUAL ON THE BOARD?
Great school board members are effective communicators. They consume reports, engage in community discourse, and inform the public of the district’s various challenges and successes.
To work effectively, a board must develop mutual understandings. Thus, the Roaring Fork Board of Education has established relationship and operations norms that each member agrees to observe.
The RFSD Board of Education has an officer structure that includes a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.
Who speaks for the board? The practice of the Roaring Fork Board of Education is to have the Board President speak on behalf of the board when necessary. Individual board members do not have the right to speak for the rest of the board unless specifically authorized by the majority to do so.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF EACH INDIVIDUAL ON THE BOARD?
HOW INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS HANDLE COMPLAINTS?
Concerns about the district or its operations will confront every board member. Board members must listen with courtesy and sincerity. However, board norms dictate that members refer the concerned person to the district employee responsible for that area. It is also important to refer persons with concerns to the district policy on complaints and procedures. Board members shall not assume direct responsibility for a problem, particularly when student or staff relations are involved.
While board members should consider what they hear from constituents, they can best serve their immediate needs by telling them whom to contact regarding their concern.
The Roaring Fork Board of Education establishes clear communications norms with the Superintendent about the process of handling complaints and concerns from the community in the board handbook.
HOW DO THE BOARD & SUPERINTENDENT COMMUNICATE?
Updates from Superintendent to Board take place via email on a weekly basis, sent by the end of the day each Friday.
When emergencies arise, the Superintendent will call the Board President who passes information on to all other Board members. When time allows the Superintendent will contact each board member directly, or all in writing, to explain the situation. In such instances, it is also agreed that the Superintendent will be the spokesperson of the district. Board members agree to defer to the Superintendent and district staff when emergency communication with the media must take place.
Heads up communication is defined as matters that lie somewhere between routine and emergency. This takes place immediately by writing. When necessary, the superintendent sends a text to all Board members to alert them.
WHAT ARE THE MOST DIFFICULT LESSONS TO LEARN?
Being a board member is not easy. The learning curve can be quite steep.
As a new board member you should expect at least a one year learning process. Helpful tips to understand:
RFSD’S PROCESS FOR POLICY REVIEW & ADOPTION
Colorado law requires school boards to adopt and update policies, and prescribe standard operating procedures necessary for the efficient administration of their district. Policymaking is one of the board’s most important duties.
The board’s role is to establish policies to chart a clear course of action for the district. Policymaking can be a time consuming process, as its goal is to be lawful, fair, clear, and reflect the best interest of ALL students and the interests of the district.
Through policy adoption, the board establishes the organizational structure, educational program objectives, and operational practices for the entire district.
It is through policy adoption that the Board guides the work of the Superintendent, and establishes district expectations as well as accountability practices for monitoring and reporting information to the Board and the community.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR POLICY REVIEW & ADOPTION?
Except for emergencies, it takes two meetings to revise an existing policy and three meetings to adopt a new policy.
WHAT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES DOES A BOARD HAVE?
The community expects a Board to exercise financial oversight to protect public assets and manage the district. This includes setting priorities reflected in the annual budget.
School boards must deliver a well-rounded education to ALL students. Thus, Boards need to manage district financial resources wisely, taking steps to secure personnel, and other resources needed for instruction in the district, within the limits of resources available and always while acting always in the best interest of students.
Community support for adequate funding of education programs may require a board to exert leadership in promoting an understanding of the district’s fiscal needs. Thus, boards must also communicate the needs of their schools to state and federal lawmakers.
It is the responsibility of individual board members to learn the legalities surrounding public school budgeting and spending. Please know the RFSD school district has access to many resources to help Board members learn more about this.
HOW DO BOARD MEMBER UPHOLD FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES?
HOW DOES THE SUPERINTENDENT FIT INTO GOVERNANCE?
To operate efficiently and effectively, it is essential board members and the superintendent understand their respective roles.
The only employee the board supervises and evaluates is the Superintendent who is charged with operating the school district in the manner in which the board dictates.
The Superintendent should never assume the functions and responsibilities of the board. Similarly, the Board or its individual members should not attempt to function as the Superintendent.
The Roaring Fork Board of Education has clearly outlined the duties of its Superintendent and conducts an evaluation on their fulfillment each year. The board also works with the Superintendent to create annual Superintendent goals for the school year.
HOW DOES THE BOARD EVALUATE THE SUPERINTENDENT?
The Roaring Fork Board of Education reviews the work performance of the Superintendent of schools on an annual basis, with a focus on identifying areas in which the superintendent excels, as well as an emphasis on identifying areas in which the superintendent might continue to grow. The evaluation coincides with the Board’s decision to renew, extend, or non-renew the Superintendent’s contract.
Every year, the Superintendent completes a self-evaluation and submits it to the board. Each Board member also completes an evaluation document taking into consideration the superintendents self-evaluation as well as additional feedback solicited by the district from staff, parents, and community.
As an integral part of the annual performance review, and to ensure each individual Board member is heard the board compiles a final unified evaluation to be reviewed by the Board and agreed upon as a whole. When finalized it is then shared with the Superintendent. The Board then provides an evaluation summary to the public during a regularly scheduled board meeting.
WHO IS THE BOARD ACCOUNTABLE TO?
The Board is first, and foremost, accountable to ALL students, parents, district staff and the community.
However, as a subdivision of the Colorado state government receiving state and local tax revenue, school districts are also held accountable by the Colorado Department of Education.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
THE BOARD RESPONSIBILITY TO ITS CHARTER SCHOOLS
The Roaring Fork School District is the chartering authority for Carbondale Community School (CCS) and Two Rivers Community School (TRCS). As the chartering authority, the Roaring Fork Board of Education has the responsibility to enter into, and periodically review and renew, a charter contract with the schools.
This contract is designed to do the following:
WHAT ROLE DOES THE BOARD HAVE IN GUIDING THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM?
The Board is responsible for establishing a vision and mission for the district.
RFSD Mission: Roaring Fork Schools will ensure that every student develops the enduring knowledge, skills, and character to thrive in a changing world.
The Board works collaboratively with the Superintendent, community and staff to establish and implement a vision for the district and for desired student learning outcomes.
The Board also supports the development and implementation of district strategic plans. In the 25/26 school year, RFSD will be in year 2 of a new 2024-2029 strategic plan.
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF OUR GREATEST CHALLENGES?
As a Board
As a District
WHAT DO WE EXPECT OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS?
In addition to actively participating in regularly scheduled work sessions and board meetings, new board members are expected to faithfully participate in an orientation and training process, participate in board development training opportunities. participate in committees and additional duties as laid out in our Board Member Handbook and to advocate for the resources our community’s public schools need to operate effectively.
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Be informed and communicate the district’s vision, mission, and strategic plan.
*Note: According to Colorado State law and RFSD Policy, school board directors are eligible for a small stipend.
Save the date(s)
Board commitments post-November 4, 2025 election:
QUESTIONS?
WHY WE CHOSE TO SERVE AS BOARD MEMBERS