- Orienting New Board Members (Policy 2110)
- Use of Parliamentary Procedure (Policy 2120)
- Board Member Training on Financial Oversight, Accountability and Fiduciary Responsibilities (Policy 2130)
- Committees of the Board (Policy 2210)
- Membership in Associations (Policy 2310)
- Attendance by Board Members at Conferences, Conventions and Workshops (Policy 2320)
- Compensation and Expenses (Policy 2330)
- Board Self-Evaluation (Policy 2340)
Orienting New Board Members (Policy 2110)
The Board and its staff shall assist each new member-elect to understand the Board’s functions, policies, and procedures before he/she takes office, by the following methods:
- The electee shall be given selected material on the job of being part of the Board, which material is supplied by the New York State School Boards Association, the National School Boards Association, and/or other professional organizations;
- The electee shall be invited to attend Board meetings and to participate in its discussions;
- The Clerk shall supply material pertinent to meetings and shall explain its use;
- The electee shall be invited to meet with the Superintendent and other administrative personnel to discuss services they perform for the Board;
- A copy of the Board’s policies and by-laws shall be given to the electee by the Clerk;
- The opportunity shall be provided for new Board members to attend the New York State School Boards Association orientation program.
Use of Parliamentary Procedure (Policy 2120)
The business of the Board of Education shall be conducted in accordance with the authoritative principles of parliamentary procedure as found in the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.
Board Member Training on Financial Oversight, Accountability and Fiduciary Responsibilities (Policy 2130)
Within the first year of election, re-election or appointment, each Board member must complete a minimum of six hours of training on the financial oversight, accountability and fiduciary responsibilities of a school board member. The curriculum and provider of this training must be approved by the Commissioner of Education.
Upon completion of the required training, the Board member must file a certificate of completion with the District Clerk.
Education Law Section 2102-a
8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Section 170.12(a)
Committees of the Board (Policy 2210)
The Board and/or the President of the Board may at its discretion establish committees for the purpose of undertaking a specific task in connection with Board activity. These committees, however, cannot make legal decisions for the entire Board.
At the request of the Board, the President shall appoint temporary committees consisting of less than a quorum of the full membership for special purposes. These committees shall be discharged on the completion of their assignment. The President of the Board shall be an ex-officio member of such committees.
The Board of Education recognizes that it may be necessary from time to time to authorize advisory committees for the purpose of enlisting opinions and counsel of the general public. Such committees shall be appointed by the Board of Education. The Board has the right to accept, reject or modify all or any part of a committee recommendation.
Audit Committee
The Board has established an audit committee to oversee, and report to the Board on, the annual audit of the District.
Visitation Committees
The Board of Education shall appoint one (1) or more committees to visit every school or department at least once annually and report on their conditions at the next regular meeting of the Board.
Education Law Sections 1708, 2116-c and 4601
NOTE: Refer also to Policy #5572 — Audit Committee
Membership in Associations (Policy 2310)
The School District shall be a member of the New York State and the County School Boards Associations. Additionally, the Board may maintain membership and participate cooperatively in other associations.
Education Law Section 1618 Comptroller’s Opinion 81-255
Attendance by Board Members at Conferences, Conventions and Workshops (Policy 2320)
The Board believes that continuing in-service training and development are important for its members. The Board, therefore, encourages the participation of all members at appropriate school board conferences, conventions and workshops which are believed to be of benefit to the School District. However, in order to control both the investment of time and funds necessary to implement this policy, the Board establishes the following guidelines:
- A calendar of school board conferences, conventions and workshops shall be maintained by the Board Clerk. The Board will periodically decide which meetings appear to be most likely to produce direct and indirect benefits to the School District. At least annually, the Board will identify those new ideas or procedures and/or cost benefits that can be ascribed to participation at such meetings.
- Funds for participation at such conferences, conventions, workshops and the like will be budgeted for on an annual basis. When funds are limited, the Board will designate which members are to participate at a given meeting.
- Reimbursement to Board members for all actual and necessary registration fees, expenses of travel, meals and lodging, and all necessary tuition fees incurred in connection with attendance at conferences and the like will be in accordance with established regulations for expense reimbursement.
- When a conference, convention or workshop is not attended by the full Board, those who do participate will be requested to share information, recommendations and materials acquired at the meeting.
The authorization for Board members to attend a conference, convention, workshop and the like shall be by Board resolution adopted prior to such attendance. However, the Board, in its discretion, may delegate the power to authorize attendance at such conferences to the President of the Board of Education.
Where authorization has been delegated to the President of the Board, no expense or claim form shall be paid unless a travel order or similar document signed by the President is attached to such form, authorizing the claimant to attend the conference.
Education Law Section 2118
General Municipal Law Sections 77-b and 77-c
NOTE: Refer also to Policies #5323 — Reimbursement for Meals/Refreshments #6161 — Conference/Travel Expense Reimbursement
Compensation and Expenses (Policy 2330)
No member of the Board may receive any compensation for his/her services unless he/she shall also serve as District Clerk and be paid as Clerk. All members of the Board of Education may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in representing the District. All bills or claims for reimbursement must be itemized in reasonable detail.
Education Law Section 2118 General Municipal Law Section 77-b
Board Self-Evaluation (Policy 2340)
The Board shall review the effectiveness of its internal operations at least once annually and will formulate a plan for improving its performance.
The Superintendent and others who work regularly with the Board may be asked to participate in this review and to suggest ways by which the Board can improve its functioning as a legislative body.