SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERSHIP
He or she shall listen.
He or she shall recognize the integrity of his/her predecessors and associates and the merits of their work.
He or she shall be motivated only by a desire to serve the children of his/her community.
He or she shall recognize the fact that it is his/her responsibility, together with that of his/her fellow board members, to see that the schools are properly run-not to run them himself/herself.
He or she shall recognize the fact that, except in the case of executive sessions, school business may be legally transacted only in open meetings legally called.
He or she shall attempt to inform himself/herself in regard to the proper duties and functions of a school board member.
IN PERFORMING THE PROPER FUNCTIONS OF A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
He or she shall deal in general education policies, unless necessity requires otherwise.
He or she shall function, in meeting the legal responsibility that is his/hers, as a part of legislative policy-forming body-not as an administrative officer.
He or she shall consider himself/herself a trustee of public education and shall do his/her best to protect and conserve it and to advance its progress.
RELATIONS WITH OTHER BOARD MEMBERS
He or she shall respect the rights of others to have and express opinions.
He or she shall recognize the fact that authority rests with the board in legal session.
He or she shall recognize the fact that to promise in advance of a meeting, how he/she will vote on any proposition which is to be considered is to close his/her mind and agree not to think through other facts and points of view which may be presented to the meeting.
He or she shall make decisions in board meetings only after all sides of debatable questions have been presented.
He or she shall insist that committees be appointed to serve only in an investigating and advisory capacity.
He or she shall consider unethical and will avoid "secret" sessions of board members.
He or she shall vote for an executive session of the board if the situation requires it.
He or she shall not discuss the confidential business of the board in his/her home, on the street, or in his/her office, the place for such discussion being the school board meeting.
IN MEETING RESPONSIBILITY TO HIS COUNTRY
He or she shall attempt to appraise fairly both the present or the future education needs of the community.
He or she shall attempt to procure adequate financial support for school.
He or she shall interpret the needs and attitude of the community and do his best to translate them into the educational program of the school.
He or she shall consider it an important responsibility of the school board to interpret the aims and methods of the school and its activities to the community.
IN WORKING WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND THE STAFF
He or she shall hold the superintendent responsible for the administration of the school.
He or she shall expect the school to be administered by the best-trained technical and professional people available.
He or she shall vote to elect employees after consideration of the recommendation of the superintendent of schools.
He or she shall participate in board legislation after considering the recommendation of the superintendent and then after he/she has furnished complete information supporting his/her recommendation.
He or she shall expect the superintendent to keep the school board adequately informed at all times through both oral and written reports.
He or she shall expect in board meetings to spend more time on educational programs and procedures than on business details.
He or she shall give the superintendent friendly counsel and advice.
He or she shall refer all complaints to the proper administrative officer or insist that they be presented in writing to the board as a whole.
He or she shall present any personal criticisms of employees to the superintendent.
He or she shall provide adequate safeguards around the superintendent and other employees so they may perform their proper functions on a professional basis.
PRINCIPLES OF CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHOOL
It is generally agreed that any statement of Board policies should be based upon recognition of three district principles of school control and management.
1. Legislative Function--The Board should formulate policies for the general management of all schools within the district.
2. Executive Function--The Board should delegate to the superintendent the executive and administrative duties and responsibilities necessary for carrying out its policies, and should hold him/her responsible and accountable.
3. Appraisal Function--The Board should hold the superintendent responsible for furnishing complete information necessary for the Board's final evaluation of the school program.
The Board, from time to time, should appraise its own policies and practices.
Rules and regulations should be part of the minutes, and on record, not be modified except with consent of the Board.
ELECTION
According to South Dakota Law the Board of Education of the Mobridge-Pollock School District #62-6 of Walworth County, South Dakota shall consist of five regular members. Each regularly elected member shall serve three years. Newly elected members will take office at the annual organizational meeting, which shall always be in July. Vacancies on the Board may be filled by appointment and the appointees shall serve until the next annual election.
ORGANIZATION
At the organizational meeting the second Monday in July, the Board shall elect from among the members:
1. President, to serve for one year.
2. Vice President, to serve for one year.
At the organization meeting the Board shall appoint:
1. Business manager, for a one year appointment.
At the organization meeting, the Board shall also:
1. Designate depositories of school funds.
2. Authorize continuation of existing funds or accounts, and also delegate the responsibility of accounts.
3. Designate a newspaper for publishing legal minutes.
4. Assure proper bonds for employed personnel in the capacity of handling money, both district and other accounts.
QUORUM
A majority (3) of the School Board members shall constitute a quorum for transacting official business of the district.
BOARD MEETINGS
The annual organizational meeting of the Board is the second Monday in July.
Regular monthly meeting date (time and date) shall be set or established at the organizational meeting. All members must be legally notified of any change in time or place of regular meetings, as well as time and place for special meetings of the Board.
An agenda for each regular meeting, prepared by the superintendent shall be prepared and distributed to each Board member not later than two days prior to the regular meeting.
PUBLISHING OF MINUTES
Publishing of minutes shall be made in a legal newspaper according to law.
FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD
The Board of Education is responsible for formulating policies for the general management of the schools in the District. The Board shall delegate authority to the superintendent and his or her staff, but is responsible to the people for the results produced.
It shall select a superintendent of schools and support him/her in the discharge of his/her responsibilities.
It may elect, promote, and dismiss any employees upon recommendation of the superintendent and may call for new recommendations.
It may accept, modify or reject the recommendations of the superintendent and may call for new recommendations.
It may make salary schedules, custodial working agreements and agreements involving school business after consideration of the recommendation of the superintendent.
It shall approve materials of instruction, school philosophy and changes in the curriculum.
It shall adopt a final budget.
It shall plan in advance capital outlay and maintenance expenditures including building alterations and additions, new equipment, improvement of grounds, repair and replacement of buildings and equipment.
It shall study, anticipate and recognize the educational needs of the community and incorporate them in the school program.
It shall interpret the educational program and school policies to citizens in the community.
It shall approve the school calendar for each school year. Consideration will be given to recommendations from the teaching staff in regard to the school calendar.
It shall approve for payment all bills and other disbursements.
It shall evaluate the educational programs and the work of the superintendent and his/her staff.
It shall, each December, decide to have a separate election for the school board or decide to have a joint election with the city. All provisions shall be accordance to the South Dakota School Law.
It shall be the policy of the Board to refer all patrons to a regular or special meeting of the Board of Education to discuss and act on any individual or group policy.
DUTIES OF OFFICER-PRESIDENT
He or she shall preside at all meetings of the Board--if in attendance. During his/her absence the Vice-President shall preside.
He or she shall counter-sign all orders upon the Business Manager for his/her claims approved by the Board.
He or she shall sign all contracts or agreements approved by the Board.
He or she shall call special meetings of the Board provided legal notice is given to all members. Legal notice may be written or oral, but must be received by all members.
PUBLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION
The Board of Education supports the concept of an independently governed School Foundation to augment financial resources for educational opportunities. Furthermore, the Board recognizes that the presence of a foundation enhances community contributes and support to a School District. In fully endorsing the School Foundation and encourages it in its purposes, which are:
1)Charitable and educational purposes consistent with organizations qualifying for exemption under Section 501 (c)(3) of the International Revenue Code of 1943 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.)
2)To provide assistance to the Mobridge-Pollock School District #62-6 to enhance its educational efforts.
The School Board believes that students and teachers benefit most when a cooperative relationship exists between the District and the Foundation. To assure mutually supportive relations, the School Board supports:
a)an on-going liaison with the Foundation, and
b)creation of no-voting Foundation Board membership for the Board Chairman and the Superintendent or their respective representatives.
The above relationship must recognize the independence of the Foundation while accepting the legal responsibility of the School Board to set District policy. Specifically, the School Board reserves the right to accept or reject contributions from the Foundation. Contributions accepted will be spent in accordance with the request of the Foundation.
