ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0110
Legal Status
District Name and Identification Codes
The School
District is organized under the authority of the State Legislature and
exercises powers delegated directly and indirectly by the Missouri State
Legislature.
The
official, corporate name of the School District shall be Adair Co R-II
School District
Adair Co R-II
District Name
205 West Dewey
District Address
Brashear, MO 63533
660-323-5272
Phone
Identification Codes
001-092
County/District Code
436000381
Federal Identification Number
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0200*
School District Philosophy
In carrying out its responsibilities,
the Board of Education is guided by the desire to use the resources of its
community, its staff and its students to provide the highest quality education
permitted by its financial resources. In
reaching decisions the Board will attempt in every case to act in the best
interests of its students.
A philosophy of education is the foundation on which a
school district is built, and upon which the product of the school program is
evaluated. The philosophy herein
subscribed to by the Board of Education shall be a guide in determining the
policies, rules and regulations of the school district.
Recognizing each student as a unique
individual, we believe that education should provide an opportunity for the
maximum development of each individual within the limitations of his or her
capacities. Through education, it is
possible for the individual to discover and endeavor to achieve to the limits
of his or her capacities.
We believe that in a democratic society,
education must help the student realize their worth as individuals and should
lead them toward becoming productive members of society. Strong emphasis must be placed upon
democratic values that are important for an effective and satisfying life.
We believe that the role of the teacher
in the educational process is to provide opportunities for the individual to
achieve at the maximum level of capacity, to create a learning situation in
which individual motivation for learning is the stimulus for achievement, and
to promote through teaching and example the principles of the democratic way of
life.
We believe that parents/guardians have
definite responsibilities in education.
They need to have a basic confidence in the school, and they need to
impart this confidence of the students.
The parents/guardians may do this by cooperating to the fullest with the
schools, by encouraging the student to give his or her best efforts to the daily
school responsibilities, and by participating in school activities.
We believe that the student must have responsibilities in the educational program of the community. The most important of these is attitude. The student is obliged to come with an open mind, equipped with all the necessary materials, ready to fulfill the responsibilities in the learning process. The basic attitude should be that the school is an institution of opportunity, staffed with trained personnel to help the student become a contributing member of society.
We believe that the foundation of the
district’s educational program is based on the development of competencies in
the basic fundamentals of reading, oral and written communication and
mathematics. Students will gather, analyze
and apply information and ideas; communicate effectively within and beyond the
classroom; recognize and solve problems; and will acquire skills necessary to
make decisions and act as responsible members of society.
It is, therefore, the responsibility of the Adair Co R-II School District to provide an educational environment for children of the district, which will foster and accelerate their intellectual, physical, artistic, social and career development.
Aug 04
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0200a
School
District Goals & Objectives
The Board of
Education is charged on behalf of the public with the responsibility of
determining the goals of the Adair County R-II School District. In discharging that responsibility the Board has
addressed four primary areas: education,
professional personnel, school environment and district operations.
It is the
commitment of the Board to develop policies to implement the goals within each
area. Furthermore, it is the commitment
of the Board to review annually and restate as necessary the goals within each
area so that the programs will at all times speak directly to the stated goals.
Education
To structure the overall instructional program to
promote sufficient alternatives to meet the variety of individual needs, capacities and aspirations through both
individualized class offerings and offerings that extend the learning
environment into the community.
To promote a plan for the organized improvement of
school curriculum including the articulation of instruction between elementary
and secondary schools.
To provide offerings which explore wide range of career and service opportunities.
To provide an integration of the intellectual,
physical, social and career developmental experiences for each student.
To maintain a comprehensive and articulated program for handicapped
students involving maximum inclusion of handicapped students in regular school
programs.
To help students gain an understanding of themselves as well as skills and
techniques involved in living and working with others.
To promote a relevant and challenging secondary school curriculum which will adequately prepare the student for his vocational goals
or postsecondary education.
To promote participation and recognition of
achievement in all endeavors (academic, athletic, fine arts, performing arts,
practical arts, etc.).
To provide opportunities to assist students in forming attitudes and
acquiring habits needed for responsible citizenship.
Professional
Personnel
To improve district-wide
performance in the teaching of reading, writing and mathematical skills.
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy 0200a
Page
2
To establish minimum acceptable competency-based
performance standards for all professional personnel.
To provide in-service training and professional
growth experiences for the professional staff.
To continue disciplinary procedures that promote
a positive school environment.
To maintain and review an accountability system for
the improvement of the instructional program.
School
Environment
To assure each individual a
physically and emotionally safe teaching and learning environment.
To assure that each individual is treated fairly, respectfully and without
bias by all members of the school community.
To assure accessibility of all facilities and
educational programs for all students and staff members.
To have each individual in the school community know and fulfill his
responsibility with regard to safety and respect to others.
District
Operations
To make every effort to secure
adequate funding for the district’s educational program.
To operate within a balanced budget during the
school year.
To maintain an up-to-date inventory of the supplies
and equipment in the district.
To maintain adequate transportation, food service, clerical, and custodial,, and
maintenance services for the efficient operation of the district’s schools.
To continually strive for more efficient use of all professional and
support staff.
To maintain and review long-range plans for the
efficient use of school facilities.
To assure immediate communication between the
superintendent or his designee and the Board on critical occurrences within the
district.
In
establishing these goals for the district, the Board does not attempt to
diminish the importance of other issues facing the district in the years ahead.
Jan 98
ORGANIZATION,
PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0310
School Board Organization
School Board Purpose and Roles
The
School Board of Education performs three basic functions in the management of
the School District:
Legislative
The
School Board shall exercise full legislative rule and management authority for
the District by adopting policy and directing all procedures necessary for the
governance of District educational and administrative responsibilities.
Executive
The
School Board shall delegate to the Superintendent the responsibility of
implementing all Board policy.
Appraisal
The
School Board shall determine the effectiveness of policy implementation through
evaluation of school operations, practices and program outcomes. The achievement level of students shall be
the guiding standard through which all success shall be measured.
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0311
School Board Organization
Statement of Practices
Attendance
Members
shall attend all regularly scheduled Board of Education meetings insofar as
possible. Any member failing to attend the meeting of the Board for three (3)
consecutive regular meetings, unless excused by a majority of the Board for
reasons satisfactory to the Board, shall be deemed to have vacated the seat;
and the secretary of the Board shall certify that fact to the Board. The
vacancy shall be filled as other vacancies occurring in the Board. Attendance
for purposes of this
provision shall be defined as actual, physical attendance at the Board meeting
until all of the business of the Board has been completed unless a member is
excused by a majority of the Board.
Knowledge
Members
shall come to Board of Education meetings informed concerning the issues to be
considered.
Abstentions
Members
shall avoid abstaining except when required by statute or Board policy. The
members of the Board have been elected to make difficult decisions on behalf of
the students, parents, patrons and employees of the district. The concept of
trusteeship requires each member to review the issues under the Board's consideration
and to take a stand regarding those issues. A member who has conformed to the
above‑described tenets of knowledge, open discussion, independent
judgment, and independent and civility should be prepared to cast a vote on
each of the issues before that member.
Cooperation/Delegation
Members
shall work with other Board members to establish effective Board policies and
to delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the
Superintendent. Members shall not attempt to by‑pass, undermine, or usurp
the Superintendent's authority and responsibility for the daily operation of
the schools.
Conflict of Interest
Members
shall avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest, and shall not
use the Board position for personal or partisan gain. Members shall conduct
themselves in accordance with the conflict of interest policy and disclosure
requirements prescribed by statute and Board policy.
Policy
0311
Page
2
Confidentiality
Members
shall not disclose confidential information. Information is confidential if it
is (a) communicated during executive session; or (b) otherwise communicated
with a mutual understanding of confidentiality.
Acceptance of Gifts
Members
shall not solicit or accept gifts, payments, or anything greater than a nominal
value item or holiday gifts of nominal value from any person, organization,
group, or entity doing business or desiring to do business with the School
District.
Contact with Vendors
Members, if
contacted by a vendor requesting information about the District's bidding
procedures, whether of a general nature or with regard to specific goods or
services to be bid, shall provide the vendor with the name and business
telephone number of the administrator responsible for purchasing such goods or
services. The member shall request that the vendor contact the relevant
administrator and direct all questions and concerns to that administrator.
Board Communications to Staff
All
official communications, policies, and directives of staff interest and concern
will be communicated to staff members through the Superintendent, and the
Superintendent will employ such media as are appropriate to keep the staff
fully informed of the Board's concerns and actions.
Visits to Schools
Individual
Board members who, in their parental capacity, wish to visit the school(s) or
classroom(s) of their child(ren)
will follow the regular procedures for visitors. Board members who wish to
visit other schools or classrooms as an informal expression of interest in
school affairs will inform the Superintendent who will arrange such visit(s)
through appropriate principal(s). Official visits by Board members will be
conducted only with the full knowledge of the Superintendent and principal(s)
involved.
Educational Welfare
Members
shall remember always that the first and greatest concern must be the
educational welfare of the students attending the School District.
The qualified voters of the School District shall annually on the
first Tuesday after the first Monday of April, elect two directors for terms of
three years, except, effective for Board elections beginning in April of 1993,
and each three years thereafter, when three directors shall be elected in
compliance with regulations specified in state law.
An election shall not be held if the number of candidates who have
filed for the Board is equal to the number of positions available.
An individual must be a registered voter in order to vote in a
school election. In order to vote, a person must be eighteen (18) years of age or
older, must be a citizen of the United States, and must reside in the School
District thirty (30) days.
Qualified applicants for the Board may file for office beginning
at 8:00 a.m. in the Superintendent's office commencing on the sixteenth (16th)
Tuesday prior to the election and ending at 5:00 p.m. on the eleventh (11th)
Tuesday before the election. The candidate shall declare his/her intent to
become a candidate, in person and in writing to the secretary of the Board of
Education. The names of qualified candidates shall be placed on the ballot in
the order of filing. The notice of election and certification of candidates
must be submitted to the county clerk by the tenth Tuesday prior to the
election. Candidates must comply with all of the prevailing laws concerning
eligibility and campaign financing.
A candidate who files for one vacancy and later decides to run for
another shall be positioned on the ballot according to the time when his/her
change of declaration is received by the secretary of the Board, not on the
basis of when the first petition was filed.
Candidates must be citizens of the United States and resident
taxpayers of the District, reside in his/her state for one year next preceding
their election or appointment, and be at least
twenty-four (24) years of age. Each newly elected or appointed director shall
qualify and take his/her oath of office in the manner prescribed by law and
according to Policy 0330 - Oath of Office.
No person may be a candidate for
a position on the Board if such person is registered as a sex offender, or is
required to be registered as a sex offender under state law. Any Board member who is likewise required to
register, or who is registered as a sex offender under state law will
immediately be requested by the Board to resign from the Board. Should such Board member refuse to resign,
the member will be ineligible to serve as a Board member at the end of his/her
term.
Dec. 2011
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0321
(Regulation 0321)
School
Board Organization
School
Board Officers
Within fourteen (14) days after the annual Board election
in April, the Board will meet to administer the oath of office to new Board
members and to elect a president and vice-president. Thereafter, on or before the 15th
day of July of each year, the Board shall elect a secretary and a treasurer,
who shall enter upon their respective duties on the 15th day of
July. The secretary and treasurer may or
may not be members of the Board (RSMo. Section 162.301(2)).
Oct 03
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0323
School Board Organization
Resignation
Any School
Board member who wishes to resign from office shall inform the School Board
secretary in writing. The School Board secretary shall certify to the Board
that the office is vacant. The Board will then appoint a replacement to serve
until the next School Board election, at which time the position shall be
filled by election to complete the unexpired term.
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0324
School Board Organization
Filling Board Vacancies
Whenever a
vacancy occurs on the Board of Education, the remaining members of the Board
will, by majority vote, select an individual to fill the vacant position until
the next annual school election.
In filling
the vacancy the Board will inform the community and solicit applications. In addition, the Board may affirmatively
solicit qualified community members to apply for the vacant position. The Board, or a committee designated by the
Board will screen the applicants and will select no more than three applicants
for Board interview. Candidate
interviews and the vote taken to fill the vacancy will occur in an open session
meeting of the Board.
ORGANIZATION,
PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0330
School
Board Organization
Oath
of Office
Within fourteen (14) days after their election,
the newly elected members of the Board shall take the oath of office proscribed
by Article VII, Section II, of the Constitution of Missouri, RSMo. Section 162.301(1).
OATH OF OFFICE
I, ,
do solemnly swear that I am
Board
Member
at least twenty-four (24) years of age, that I am a
citizen of the United States and a resident taxpayer
of the , in
School
District County
in the State of Missouri, and that I will support
the Constitutions of the United States and of the
State of Missouri, and that I will abide by and
uphold the
School District
Board Member Code of Ethics, and will faithfully
demean myself in office.
Oct 03
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0340
School Board Organization
Code of Ethics
The purpose of the Board of Education is:
1. To
govern and control the affairs of the District as provided by law.
2. To discover
and interpret the educational needs, attitudes and
interests throughout the District as a guide to developing and setting
priorities for an educational program.
3. To
exercise judgment in reviewing, considering and voting on district wide policies
affecting the operation of the schools.
4. To
oversee the management and fiscal control of the schools as provided by law and
to
review, evaluate and judge the effectiveness of the
educational program.
The roles
of members of the Board of Education are:
1. To
recognize that it is the responsibility of the Board to see that the schools
are properly
administered, not to administer them.
2. To hold
the Superintendent responsible for the implementation of Board policies and the
administration of the District.
3. To give
the Superintendent authority commensurate with his/her responsibility.
4. To vote
on Board matters only after considering the recommendation of the
Superintendent
and any interested citizens.
5. To maintain
a working rapport with other members of the Board and the Superintendent.
6. To respect and encourage the right of
others to hold and express opinions.
7. To
support the Board once a legal decision has been made by a majority vote.
8. To avoid
inappropriate or disparaging remarks, in or out of Board meetings, about other
Board members or their opinions.
9. To
realize that the responsibilities are district-wide.
Policy
0340
Page
2
10. To
recognize that authority rests with the School Board in legal session and no
individual
Board
member has legal authority to request action from the staff.
11. To avoid
any comments which may be interpreted as undermining the administration of the
District.
12. To assure
that special committees, when appointed, have a well defined
objective and that
there is understanding that the committee serves in an
advisory capacity.
In
addition, members of the Board of Education will:
1. Work
through the Superintendent and his/her staff.
2. Support
the Superintendent's efforts to appoint the most qualified persons as employees
of the District.
3. Reinforce
the efforts of the Superintendent and the staff so that they may perform their
assigned responsibilities in the most effective manner.
4. Provide
the Superintendent counsel as requested or required.
5. Make every effort to keep all citizens
informed about the quality and condition of
public school education in the District.
6. Initiate
and implement all efforts to secure adequate financial support for the
District.
7. Assure
that all transactions of the District are ethical, open and aboveboard.
ORGANIZATION,
PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0342
(Regulation
0342)
School Board
Organization (Form
0342)
Nepotism, Conflict
of Interest and Financial Disclosure
The Board may employ a person related within the
fourth degree to a Board member, provided the related Board member does not
debate or vote upon the employment issue.
However, the Board may not under any circumstances employ one of its own
members.
In order to consider employment of a Board
member’s spouse, the position must have been advertised as required in Policy
4120 – Employment Procedures. In addition, the Superintendent must consider and
submit a written affirmative recommendation to the Board. The names of all
applicants for that position, as well as the name of the applicant hired, are
to be included in the Board minutes.
Members of the Board of Education will conduct themselves in a manner that complies not only with the letter of conflict of interest laws, but also in the spirit of those provisions. Board members will at all times make good faith efforts to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. If a situation arises which involves the potential for a conflict of interest, the individual Board member will declare his interest and will refrain from debating or voting upon the question of engaging or using the business entity in question.
Oct 03
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0350
School Board Organization
School Board Compensation
No member
of the Board shall accept a salary from, or be employed by the Board, or profit
financially in any manner by reason of any dealings with the Board.
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0351
School Board Organization
School Board Travel
Travel and
accompanying expenses may be authorized by a majority of the Board of Education
for any of its members to attend conferences, meetings, seminars, conventions,
etc., at the state, regional and national levels. Travel expenses may include
transportation, lodging, meals and registration fees.
Each Board
member who has been approved for travel shall file with the Business and
Finance Office an itemized account of anticipated expenses and may request and
receive an advance for these expenses. Upon completion of travel, an actual
expense account report, with appropriate receipts, shall be filed with the
Business and Finance Office within the next two weeks.
Travel
requests will not normally be approved in the three months prior to the
completion of a Board member's term.
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND
GOALS Policy
0360
School Board Organization
Board Committees
The
Board may appoint committees to assist it in carrying out the Board’s
responsibilities. However, the Board may
not delegate those functions which, by law, must be exercised by the Board of
Education.
Committee Guidelines
1.
Committees
created by the Board of Education will be assigned specific tasks to be
performed and will be assigned a specific time frame within which to accomplish
assigned tasks.
2.
Upon
completion of these tasks or upon expiration of the time allotted, the
committee will be dissolved unless extended by the Board.
3. Reports of Board committees may be made
in written form or be presented verbally
at a Board meeting at the discretion of the Board.
Committee Meetings
Meetings
of committees appointed by the Board or at the Board’s direction including
advisory committees appointed for the specific purpose of recommending policy,
policy revisions, expenditures of public funds to the
Board or to the Superintendent will comply with the notice and open meeting
provision applicable to Board of Education meetings. The District’s custodian of records will
maintain a current list of such advisory committees.
ORGANIZATION,
PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0410*
Meetings
Regular
The regular meeting of the Board shall be held on
the third Monday in each month, at the hour of 7:00 p.m., except when a
majority of the Board agrees in advance and public notice is given. Public meetings may be conducted in person or
by conference call, video chats, Internet conferences, e-mails and Internet
message board.
Special
Special meetings may be held at the time set by
the Board or on the call of the Board president or a majority of the
Board. (Not less than twenty-four (24)
hours written notice, stating the time and place of the meeting and the
business to be considered will be given to each member.) Simultaneously with the giving of notice of
such meeting to the members of the Board, a written notice of the meeting and
the matters to be considered will be posted in the same manner as postings for
regular Board meetings.
Quorum
and Majority Vote
The presence of a majority of the Board
constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. However, the letting of contracts,
employment of personnel, approval of bills for payment, and the ordering of
warrants require an affirmative vote of a majority of the full Board.
Voting Method
The president shall have a vote on all
questions. When a member abstains from voting,
such abstention shall not be counted as a vote either for or against the
proposal, but shall be entered in the minutes as an abstention.
Any closed vote shall be taken by roll call. A roll call vote may also be taken on any
motion in an open public meeting, provided that a majority has voted to do
so. When an open public vote is not to
be taken by roll call, any member may request that the Board be polled on any
issue requiring a vote. The number of
“yea” and “nay” votes on any question shall be recorded in the minutes. Any member, if he or she so desires, shall have the privilege of having his or her vote
and reasons therefore recorded on any question.
Any member may also request that his or her vote be changed if such
request is made prior to consideration of the next order of business.
Members of the Board may vote and otherwise
participate in meetings by means of contemporaneous telephonic or other
electronic participation. If a Board
member so participates, the member is entitled to have the actual physical
presence of the member excused in circumstances where the Board member would
normally and reasonably have such absence
Policy 0410*
Page
2
excused. A member so participating shall be counted present for
purposes of convening a quorum. The
Board secretary shall ensure that the minutes reflect any electronic
participation.
Any Board member wishing to participate in this
manner should advise the Board president and superintendent as early as
possible to facilitate arrangements and avoid delays of the Board’s
business. If the Board initiates contact
after an item of business has been opened, the remotely located member shall
not participate until the next item of business is opened.
The superintendent shall ensure that adequate
facilities and equipment for telephonic or other electronic participation are
furnished for Board meetings, when necessary, and shall take measures to ensure
the authentic identity of any remotely-located participants. The telephonic or other means of electronic
participation shall be made audible and/or visible, as appropriate, to all
those entitled to be present at any meeting where a member participates in this
manner.
Closed
Meetings
The Board may vote to conduct closed executive sessions as provided for in Policy 0430 – Executive Sessions. In order to enter into executive session, such motion must be approved by a roll call majority vote. The motion to enter executive session must reference the specific statutory matters to be discussed.
Any Board member may object to the closing of a meeting, record or vote if the member believes the motion to close violates the Sunshine Law; such member(s) must object at or before the motion to close is voted upon and must vote against closing. The member(s) shall be allowed to fully participate in any subsequent meeting or vote. The objecting member(s) shall be immune from any liability for improper closure of a meeting.
Recording of Board Meetings
The open sessions of Board meetings may be audio or video taped. The Board has adopted guidelines set forth in Regulation 0410 to minimize the potential disruptive effect of such recordings.
Firearms and Weapons
Possession of firearms and weapons are prohibited
from all school premises and school activities. This prohibition specifically
applies to meetings and activities of the Board of Education and applies to all
attendees, including members of the Board. The firearm prohibition includes
permitted weapons. (See also Policy 1432 – Prohibition Against
Firearms and Weapons.)
Aug 04
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0411
(Regulation
0411)
Meetings (Form
0411)
Meeting Agenda
A tentative
agenda for each regular, special or proposed closed meeting of the Board shall
be prepared by the Superintendent, in consultation with the Board president,
and shall be included in any public notice of such meetings. Any member of the
Board may request items to be placed on the agenda. The tentative agenda,
related materials and minutes of the previous meeting shall be mailed to each
member of the Board at least four days prior to the stated meeting unless a
special emergency meeting is called at a time which makes the four day prior
notice impossible.
The agenda
for each meeting of the Board shall be adopted or modified by a motion by a
majority of those Board members present. Once the agenda is approved, it shall
require a vote of majority of the Board members present to make additional
modifications.
The agenda
for closed sessions shall be on a separate document; however, the motion to
close a meeting must be voted on during a public meeting and must also include
the reasons for closing the meeting with references to the specific topics
under the provision of Section 610.021, RSMo. as valid grounds for a closed meeting session.
A designated period of time may be provided
for public comments at all regular Board meetings. The Board is very interested
in citizen viewpoints and problems; however, citizens are encouraged to work
through problems at the building and/or administrative levels before coming to
the Board. Remarks may be limited to three minutes and to one appearance, thus
allowing a maximum number of participants in the allotted time period in which
citizens are to speak to issues. Questions directed to the Board may not always
be answered immediately. All questions will be responded to by an appropriate
person as soon as possible. Persons who wish to suggest items for the agenda
should contact the Superintendent
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0420
(Form
0420)
Meetings
Minutes
Open Session Minutes
Minutes of
the Board of Education meetings shall be available to District residents for
inspection at the Superintendent of Schools office, at reasonable hours. The minutes will include the date, time,
place, members present, members absent, and a record of any votes taken.
Closed Session Minutes
A separate
minute book used solely for the purpose of executive sessions shall be used to
record the minutes. Under such
circumstances, the Board members and others in attendance are honor-bound not
to disclose the details or discussions or minutes of the executive
session. Any vote taken during a closed
session will be taken and recorded by a roll call vote.
The Board
reserves the right, as provided by law, to close meetings, records and votes as
they relate to the matters below. All discussion and action by the Board in
executive session must be related to the reasons set forth in the motion to
enter executive session. The minutes of
the executive session shall be recorded and maintained in a separate,
confidential minute book. (See Policy 0420 – Minutes.)
Litigation
including privileged communications between the Board, its representatives, and
its attorneys. Upon completion of the litigation or upon the
execution of a settlement agreement, the vote, minutes, and settlement
agreement will be made public unless subject to a court order closing the
record.
The
lease, purchase or sale of real estate where public knowledge of the details of
the proposed acquisition might adversely affect the District's interests. Any vote or public record
approving such a contract shall become available to the public upon execution
of the contract.
Actions
related to the hiring, firing, disciplining or promotion of a District employee
when the performance or individual merits of this employee is
considered. Any vote on a final decision to hire, fire, promote or discipline
will be available to the public within seventy-two (72) hours of the close of
the meeting, except that good faith efforts will be made to notify the affected
employee prior to the information becoming publicly available. Disclosure of Board action on such personnel
matters will include notice of how each Board member voted on the proposition.
Scholastic
probation, expulsion, discipline, or graduation of identifiable persons, including
records of individual test or examination scores subject to the provisions of
the Board's student records policy and regulations.
Preparations
for negotiations with employees and employee representatives, including any work
product of the Board.
Testing
and examination materials before the test or examination is given and until use
of the test is
discontinued.
Competitive
bidding specifications, until officially approved or published for bids.
Sealed bids, until the earlier of the time all
are opened or all are accepted or rejected.
Individually
identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records related to
employees or applicants for employment.
However, the public will have access to the names, positions, salaries,
and length of service of employees of the District.
Confidential
and privileged communication between the Board and its auditor, including all auditor's work product. However, final audit reports issued
by the auditor will be open.
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Policy
0440
(Form
0440)
Meetings
Notification of Board Meetings
Notice of meetings of the Board
of Education including committees of the Board as provided in Policy 0360 will
be given in a manner to reasonably inform the public of the matters to be
considered by the Board.
Notice of the time, date, and
place of the meeting as well as the tentative agenda will be provided at least
twenty-four hours, exclusive of holidays and weekends, prior to the meeting
unless for good cause it is impossible or impractical to provide such notice. In such instances, the nature of the
impossibility or impracticality will be stated in the minutes. In order to maximize public participation,
notice of Board meetings will be posted in each District school and at the District’s
administrative offices. Upon request,
members of the media will be provided with notice of the meeting at the same
time notice is provided to members of the Board. Meetings will be scheduled at a location
reasonably accessible to the public in a room of sufficient size to accommodate
the anticipated attendance by the public.
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND
GOALS Policy
0510
Policy Development and Review
Policy Development, Adoption and
Review
The
development and adoption of policies to govern operation of the School District
are the responsibility of the Board of Education. In developing policy, the Board may solicit
input from the community, staff and other professionals.
At any
meeting of the Board, policies governing the schools may be enacted, amended or
repealed by a majority vote. The formal adoption of policies shall be recorded
in the minutes of the Board. Only those written statements so adopted and so
recorded shall be regarded as official Board policy.
Implementation
The
Superintendent of Schools is assigned the responsibility for insuring that all
Board policies, rules and regulations are implemented. The Board authorizes the
Superintendent to develop administrative guidelines in order to implement Board
policy. The Superintendent shall notify all employees and students of their
need to abide by Board policies and regulations. Administrators shall prepare
staff, student and parent handbooks that interpret Board policies and state
rules and regulations which affect each population set. The handbooks shall be
revised annually and distributed within the first month of the school term.
Review
The Board
shall review written policies on a continuing basis to ensure consistency and
legality of Board action and administrative decisions. Policies shall be
reviewed and revised as a result of newly enacted state and/or federal
legislation, court decisions, as a result of research and/or policy development
as presented by state and/or national organizations and agencies, or for other
reasons as determined by the Board.