206 Board Member Services

BOARD MEMBER SERVICES
 
Individual Board members provide a vital public service to the school district by serving on a Board that is confronted by a dynamic array of issues challenging public education on the local, state and national levels.
 
It is in the best interest of the students and communities served by the schools that Board members be provided with ongoing development opportunities on local, regional, state and national levels.
 
Board members are encouraged to participate in development programs at district expense whenever the program reasonably appears to be beneficial to the Board/District operations and the Board approves the expenditure in advance.
 
 
Approved:  August 12, 1985                    
 
Reviewed:  Feb. 10, 1997
March 12, 2001
December 19, 2005
September 2008
January 20, 2014

206.1 New Board Member Orientation

NEW BOARD MEMBER ORIENTATION
 
Board members and superintendents will assist each newly elected or appointed Board member to understand the Board’s function, policies and procedures.
 
A new board member will be provided with copies of all appropriate publications and documents including the Board’s Policy manual, selected sections of the School Laws of Iowa and other selected publications from regional and state sources.
 
New members will be encouraged to attend meetings or workshops conducted by outside organizations designed specifically for the orientation of new members.  Expenses will be reimbursed by the Board in accordance with established policy.
 
 
Approved:  August 12, 1985                
 
Reviewed:  Feb. 10, 1997
March 12, 2001
December 19, 2005
September, 2008
January 20, 2014        
 
Revised:  May 10, 1993
 

206.1E Board Member Orientation

BOARD MEMBER ORIENTATION
 
The following list of topics may be used in developing a comprehensive orientation program.
 
School-Community Relationships and General Responsibilities:
1.         An explanation of how board meetings are conducted (notices, agenda items, motions, seconds, petitions, etc.).
2.         An explanation of the management structure and responsibilities of the board, superintendent, administrators and individual board members.
3.         An explanation of board member development opportunities throughout the year, with financial reimbursement for related costs.
4.         An explanation of the district’s public relations program, how it is coordinated and what activities regularly take place.
5.         An explanation of services, activities of various groups, associations and unions.
6.         An explanation of Iowa’s School Foundation Plan and what it means in terms of the local district budget.
7.         A copy of the district’s budget.  Explanation of how, when and by whom it is prepared; how educational needs are translated into a dollars and cents plan, where the money comes from, and how the money is spent.
8.         A description of the district’s student enrollment trends and projections.
9.         An explanation of the scope and recent history of local tax levies.
10.       A listing of the existing bond indebtedness of the district and when various building debts will expire.
11.       An explanation of the funding process for Area Education Agencies.
12.       An explanation of curriculum standards required by state law (Section 257.25) and implemented by rules of the Department of Public Instruction, and the role of accreditation institutions, i.e., North Central Association and any recent Evaluations Program.
13.       An explanation of the district’s overall educational program, needs assessment results and future plans for program changes. 
14.       An explanation of the educational organization of the school district, including student groupings, shared pupils/teachers, and curriculum articulation.
15.       An explanation of student achievement, testing and the utilization of test results.
16.       A statement of the percentages of students who go on to college or other post high school programs and drop out.
17.       Documents showing teacher-pupil ratio and median class size district-wide and for appropriate sub-groupings.
18.       An explanation of the district’s program for exceptional children; those with higher or lower than normal mentality, impaired sight or hearing, emotional, neurological and other problems.
19.       A statement of the age and condition of textbooks, instructional materials, media holdings, and school equipment.
20.       A statement of the board’s philosophy regarding extracurricular activities in the district and a listing of activities, participation levels and cost factors.
21.       An explanation of the services of the Area Education Agency.
22.       A description of district staff and recruitment procedures.
23.       A copy of staff salary schedules, median or mean salary and fringe benefit programs.
24.       An explanation of collective bargaining, the hows and whys of negotiations, a copy of any collective bargaining agreement(s), along with a brief history of bargaining in the District.
25.       A brief explanation of the board’s role relative to administrator and teacher contract law.
26.       An explanation of the district’s evaluation criteria and procedures for the administrators, teachers and support personnel.
27.       A list showing the number, location, boundaries, and condition of schools and other buildings owned or operated by the district.
28.       A description of the district’s building maintenance program and construction plans.
29.       An explanation of the student transportation system.
 
Source:                       IASB orientation packet
 

206.2 Boardmanship

BOARDSMANSHIP
 
As the task of educating our youth must be a top priority of the communities served by the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District, the board of directors shall dedicate themselves to becoming informed on current educational issues, research and trends.  To this end every director is encouraged to:
*          complete level 1 ABLE training provided by the Iowa Association of School Boards by the end of their first term
 
*          conduct periodic planning workshops to assess board performance, assess established board goals, and set new goals as deemed necessary and appropriate
 
*          attend the annual state conference of the Iowa Association of School Boards
 
*          attend other area, regional, state or national meetings related to education.
 
To stay abreast of national trends and successful cutting-edge programs, the superintendent shall budget sufficient funds to provide for the participation of all directors in the boardsmanship activities listed above.  In addition, funds shall be provided for two directors to attend the national NASB or AASA conference every other year.
 
In recognition of a director’s dedication to service, directors who qualify for the Better Boardsmanship Award shall be recognized by the local board and their accomplishment announced through the local media.
 
 
Approved:  May 10, 1993                
 
Reviewed:  Feb. 10, 1997
March 12, 2001
December 19, 2005
September, 2008
January 20, 2014           
 
Revised:  April 14, 1997
                                                        

206.3 Board Member Insurance

BOARD MEMBER INSURANCE
 
The  school district shall carry adequate insurance to protect the District, the Board and its members from legal liability while acting in behalf of the School District.  The insurance coverage will include School Board Errors and Omissions insurance.
 
 
Approved:  August 12, 1985                    
 
Reviewed:  Feb. 10, 1997
March 12, 2001 
December 19, 2005
September 2008
January 20, 2014