Most districts air the meetings on local cable stations and radio stations. Here's how to work with your local school board — the people who can make or break your child’s education. Not only does each local board make essential decisions about where your taxpayer dollars go towards your child’s education, they also have the power to decide on the many policies that shape your child’s elementary, middle, or high school. And last but certainly not least, they appoint your superintendent.

Issues such as public image, remuneration and general developments can be aired, and sometimes directors may wish to clear the meeting of all but the key figures so frank and robust discussion can proceed more freely.

Meetings are important since the board cannot take action except at a regular or special meeting. Agendas are supporting documents are given to Board members in advance of the meeting date to allow the Board to study and review the information. If your school and your district’s schools are not listening to their constituents who pay their salaries, it is your right as a citizen to be one of the (sadly few) voters to select new board members. School board, too. Even if the issue is emotionally charged, keep your presentation rational and positive. This is a secure Staff Intranet content page and cannot be viewed by the public.

Find out in advance about other schools that have implemented successful programs, or dealt with related problems, and outline the steps that lead to a solution. National School Boards Association website, list of characteristics of an effective school board. Board meetings must be held publicly according to open door laws. Any new business that wasn't acted upon will be noted in the … Committee Meetings are planning/work sessions at which the board receives reports and information from the Superintendent and Cabinet Directors regarding the management of the School District. Could early math skills matter more than early reading skills? Get the GreatSchools newsletter - our best articles, worksheets and more delivered weekly. When a school isn’t meeting the students’ and parents’ needs and all the available channels have been exhausted, you can take up your issue with a higher authority — the school board. Legally, during the public comment period, you are permitted to speak about an issue. Special meetings may be planning/work sessions at which the board receives reports and information from the superintendent regarding the management of the school district. Start by checking this list of characteristics of an effective school board. You can request that you and your group is put on the agenda for a presentation at an upcoming board meeting. Seated with the Board at the conference table is the Superintendent of Schools, the District Solicitor, and the Board Secretary, who records the votes of the meeting and Student Liaisons. It’s a school board thing. Please contact your Technology Director to gain access to the Staff Intranet How about this doozy of a fact? During the meeting, it may appear as if some items are being voted upon with little or no discussion This, however, is usually not the case as some items may have appeared on previous agenda or may have been discussed at length at a Committee Meeting or Executive Session. During Committee meetings, Board Members have the opportunity to study and discuss specific topics in depth. It helps to understand why and when you would take your own issue to the school board.

And the stakes are high: This is your child’s education, after all. Most important of all: They work for you. Find other parents who share your concerns since more voices can make a bigger impact. Agendas and supporting documents are given to board members in advance of the meeting date to allow the board to study and review the information. Legislative Meetings are typically (check the Board of Education Meeting Dates) held the fourth Thursday of the month at Penncrest High School and begin at 7:30 PM. Agenda items are submitted by Cabinet Members in the area of Curriculum and Instruction, Finance, Human … Yet when it comes to making our voices heard, 90 percent of voters don’t vote in school board elections. To learn where and when board meetings are held, check online: Every district must post this information. The country’s 95,000 school board members are entrusted with overseeing the education of some 50 million students and with deciding how to spend more than $600 billion every year. In addition to its regular business meetings, the board may hold special meetings.

Yet, hot-button issues like school safety, test scores, and school budgets are in the hands of this small group of people that make up your local school board. In fact, your involvement in your local school board will probably take no more time than if you were to volunteer at your school’s bake sale. Is there a safety issue that’s been making the news at your local schools? Terms are usually staggered so that at least some members are replaced every two years. Although there is no formal public participation at special meetings, the board may … During special meetings, board members have the opportunity to study and discuss specific topics in depth. Agenda items are submitted by Cabinet Members in the area of Curriculum and Instruction, Finance, Human Resources, Operations, Student Services and Technology, to the respective Chair of the Committee. In most cases, board meetings are also structured to give you a chance to express your … Committee Meetings are held at the Education Center, 308 N. Olive Street in Media and begin at 6:30 PM. Sorry for the inconvenience. At the end of meetings, most boards allow time for public comments, generally limited to a three-minute presentation of each topic. Official actions based on discussions held in Executive Session will be taken at a public meeting. Typically, Cabinet members present the items on their agenda that are informational or that need Board consideration to be placed on the Legislative Meeting Agenda for approval/disapproval. The Board may discuss the following matters in executive session: All Executive Sessions are closed to the public, but the Board is not permitted to vote on the passage of any resolution while it sits in Executive Session. It may be time to go to a school board meeting. They are typically (check the Board of Education Meeting Dates) held the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Are math test scores suddenly plummeting in your district? And last but certainly not least, they appoint your superintendent. We care so much about our children’s education. If the school board green-lights your proposal, be ready to take action in a timely and positive way.

It will probably take perseverance, meaning attending several meetings and respectively contacting your school board representative for a resolution. Running or managing a board meeting is an important part of being a board member.

Most important of all: They work for you. Unadilla Valley CSD reopened on Sept. 8 under a hybrid model. School boards are in the driver’s seat on this, too. Copies of the agenda are posted on the District's website under "Agenda and Minutes." Special meetings are open to the public. If you’re not impressed with the job your school board is doing, this isn’t a lifetime gig: School board members are replaced every four years. Closing an under-enrolled school or opening a state-of-the-art STEM magnet? When you meet with the school board member, come prepared with any material that will help your cause: data, research, and solutions. If you’re unable to attend a meeting, you can read the minutes online or listen in. That means that compared to voting for a U.S. president, senator, congressperson, or even your mayor, your vote counts for far more than in other elections. The presiding officer shall announce the reason for holding the Executive Session and the announcement may be made at the public meeting, prior to, or after the executive session.