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Board Norms

LEGAL AUTHORITY OF SCHOOL BOARDS

The legal authority of boards of education is derived from the State of New York. 

It is incumbent upon school boards and individual school board members to follow the laws of New York State and the United States of America, as well as act in accordance with the Rules of the state Board of Regents and the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

School board members have a further obligation to keep apprised of court rulings and administrative decisions that interpret and apply these laws, rules and regulations, and ensure their decisions are informed by these interpretations of law.

EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY OF SCHOOL BOARDS

While school boards in New York State have an array of responsibilities, they have exclusive authority to:

1.         Hire and evaluate the superintendent of schools.

2.         Propose an annual budget to voters.

3.         Establish policy.

Boards and board members have a responsibility to act with fairness and integrity in these roles and other district-related business and activity.

RESPECT FOR STAKEHOLDERS

Each school board member should make decisions based on what he or she believes to be in the best interest of the community of stakeholders, including but not limited to:

1.         All students (in contrast to individual students or certain groups of students).

2.         Employees, including teachers, administrators and non-academic staff, as well as volunteers.

3.         Parents and guardians.

4.         Taxpayers.

5.         Employers, colleges, universities, and others with a vested interest in the education provided by the district or BOCES.

6.         Educational partners, business partners and contractors.

7.         The community at large.

School board members have a duty to be open to feedback and information received from all stakeholders.

GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNICATING WITH STAKEHOLDERS

·         When communicating with District stakeholders, listen attentively to the parent, community member, or staff member. Ask for the name and contact information of the stakeholder. DO NOT offer to solve, fix, or take care of the issue. Direct the stakeholder to the Superintendent. Notify the administrative official to whom the stakeholder has been referred giving that person as much information as is available. Provide information as per the OCSD website: Parent Guide For Addressing School Concerns - Onteora Central School District

·         In the event information is shared with an individual trustee which bears upon the functioning of either the Board or the District, that information should normally be shared with the full Board, as soon as practicable. However, In the event that it appears that the information shared with the individual trustee involves a complaint which, pursuant to either District Policy, applicable law or State Regulation will ultimately be  addressed by the Board as either an appellate body or decision maker,  the individual trustee will then forward the information to the Superintendent of Schools for consultation as to whether the information should, in the first instance, be appropriately processed administratively, in order to comport with either District Policy, or applicable law or regulation.

BEST PRACTICES

It is the duty of each school board member to a make a good faith effort to serve with integrity and to the best of one’s ability.  Each school board member should:

·         Try to all attend all school board meetings absent exigent circumstances. If unable to attend a meeting, inform the full Board of the absence as soon as possible so that it can be confirmed that a quorum of board members will be present and able to conduct board business.

·         Be prepared for school board meetings by reviewing relevant information supplied by the superintendent or board clerk.

·         Be well-versed in parliamentary procedure and the state Open Meetings Law.

·         Communicate and interact in a civil and professional manner with fellow board members, the superintendent and district stakeholders with the aim of serving as role models for all students.

·         Understand and honor the roles and responsibilities of a school board as opposed to those of the superintendent.

·         Keep abreast of current issues in education.

·         Participate in training and educational opportunities relevant to board service, ideally on an ongoing basis.

·         Make decisions based on a careful review and discussion of relevant facts.

·         Vote consistent with a sincere belief regarding what is in the best interest of students and other stakeholders, free from bias or favoritism.

·         Respect and abide by each decision of the board as a whole, regardless of one’s personal vote.

·         Set high expectations for students and employees.

·         Before Board Meetings, Members Will: 

    • Submit items to be placed on the agenda in ample time so the Superintendent may assemble information bearing on the item before the meeting.
    • Ensure there is adequate time for Board members to prepare and review all relevant materials, information, data, etc. related to the agenda items. Whenever possible, contact the Superintendent with agenda questions well in advance of the meeting, allowing time for the Superintendent and staff to gather pertinent information. Additional questions may still be presented during the Board meeting as necessary.
    • Request information from or through the Superintendent, and only from staff members with the prior knowledge of the Superintendent.
    • Refer all persons with positive or negative comments regarding school district operations to the proper staff person or administrator directly responsible for the operational activity. Focus on the Board's role and not become involved in the day-today operations of the school system. We will not engage in the resolution of problems; rather we will refer these concerns to the Superintendent. 
    • Limit the amount of time Board members spend in schools and Central Administration to only scheduled Board meetings, committee meetings, agenda setting and other Board approved meetings or tours, of which the entire Board is aware. 

·         During Board Meetings, Members Will

    • Ensure they are fully prepared, on time and ready to participate.
    • Endeavor to start and end meetings on time.
    • Avoid hidden agendas and springing any surprises on other members.
    • Once recognized by the Board President, ensure that each board member is allowed to speak without interruption.
    • Focus on an agenda item until is it resolved or until a specified time has been reached to resume the resolution process.
    • Say it once, say it well. 
    • Model the behaviors the Board expects of students, staff, and community members. 
    • Before committing to a position on an agenda item or issue make sure all relevant information has been presented, including the Superintendents recommendation. 

·         After Board Meetings, Members Will:

    • Support the decisions of the Board, and will not work to undermine Board decisions or encourage others to do so. 
    • Abide by the confidentiality laws of executive session and ensure all documents, records, reports, etc. are treated in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, etc.
    • We serve in trust for the entire community.

RIGHT OF FREE EXPRESSION

As citizens of the United States, school board members have a right to free expression that is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution of the State of New York.  However, when making statements to stakeholders, the public or the media, school board members have a duty to distinguish personal opinion from the established policy or articulated views of the board.  Only the board as a whole, or its designee, has authority speak for the board.  Therefore, whenever communicating about issues related to the district, each board member should clearly state that he or she is communicating a personal opinion and is not speaking for the board.

OFFICIAL CONDUCT

In their official capacity, school board members:

·         Should not engage in any personal or commercial activity which presents a conflict of interest or an appearance of impropriety which would bring discredit upon the school district, its staff and/or its students.

·         Must publicly disclose the nature and extent of any personal interest in any proposed contract or agreement that comes before the board and recuse oneself from voting as appropriate.

·         Must never use one’s position as a school board member to benefit either oneself, a family member or any other individual or entity in a manner inconsistent with the law or one’s sincere belief that one is acting in the best interest of the school district and all stakeholders.

·         Must keep confidential all matters that one is privy to as a school board member that would constitute a violation of law to disclose and should keep confidential all matters that would gratuitously harm or embarrass one or more individuals, or would fail to serve any goal of the school district.

·         Should behave in a manner consistent with this Code of Ethics.

PRIVATE CONDUCT

School board members should refrain from any private action that is:  (1) contrary to their oath of office; (2) antithetical to the formally adopted vision, mission and/or goal statements of the school district; or (3) inconsistent with this Code of Ethics.

Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th Edition.

Public Officers Law Section 103 et. seq.