Hallsville R-IV

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P 0311 Statement of Practices

Attendance

Members shall attend all regularly scheduled Board of Education meetings insofar as possible. Any member failing to attend the meeting of the Board for three (3) consecutive regular meetings, unless excused by a majority of the Board for reasons satisfactory to the Board, shall be deemed to have vacated the seat; and the secretary of the Board shall certify that fact to the Board. The vacancy shall be filled as other vacancies occurring in the Board. Attendance for purposes of this provision shall be defined as actual, physical attendance at the Board meeting until all of the business of the Board has been completed unless a member is excused by a majority of the Board.

Knowledge

Members shall come to Board of Education meetings informed concerning the issues to be considered.

Abstentions

Members shall avoid abstaining except when required by statute or Board policy. The members of the Board have been elected to make difficult decisions on behalf of the students, parents, patrons and employees of the district. The concept of trusteeship requires each member to review the issues under the Board's consideration and to take a stand regarding those issues. A member who has conformed to the above?described tenets of knowledge, open discussion, independent judgment, and independent and civility should be prepared to cast a vote on each of the issues before that member.

Cooperation/Delegation

Members shall work with other Board members to establish effective Board policies and to delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the Superintendent. Members shall not attempt to by?pass, undermine, or usurp the Superintendent's authority and responsibility for the daily operation of the schools.

Conflict of Interest

Members shall avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest, and shall not use the Board position for personal or partisan gain. Members shall conduct themselves in accordance with the conflict of interest policy and disclosure requirements prescribed by statute and Board policy.

Confidentiality

Members shall not disclose confidential information. Information is confidential if it is (a) communicated during executive session; or (b) otherwise communicated with a mutual understanding of confidentiality.

Acceptance of Gifts

Members shall not solicit or accept gifts, payments, or anything greater than a nominal value item or holiday gifts of nominal value from any person, organization, group, or entity doing business or desiring to do business with the School District.

Contact with Vendors

Members, if contacted by a vendor requesting information about the District's bidding procedures, whether of a general nature or with regard to specific goods or services to be bid, shall provide the vendor with the name and business telephone number of the administrator responsible for purchasing such goods or services. The member shall request that the vendor contact the relevant administrator and direct all questions and concerns to that administrator.

Board Communications to Staff

All official communications, policies and directives of staff interest and concern will be communicated to staff members through the Superintendent, and the Superintendent will employ such media as are appropriate to keep the staff fully informed of the Board's concerns and actions.

Visits to School

Informal visits to school by individual board members are encouraged. Arrangements shall be made through the principals of the various schools. Such visits shall be regarded as expression of interest in school affairs and not as "inspections" or visits for supervisory or administrative purposes.

Official visits by board members will be carried on only under Board authorization and with the full knowledge of staff, including the Superintendent and principals

Educational Welfare

Members shall remember always that the first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending the School District.

New Board Member Orientation

Any person elected or appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board shall be afforded the fullest measure of courtesy and cooperation. The Board and staff shall make every feasible effort to assist the new member to become fully informed about the Board's functions, policies, procedures and problems.

  1. In the interim between appointment or election and actually assuming office the new member will be invited to attend all meetings and functions of the Board including executive sessions and will receive all reports and communications sent to Board members.
  2. A special workshop may be convened for the purpose of orienting the new member to his/her responsibilities, to Board procedures, to the District's policies and to current issues facing the Board.
  3. The new member shall be provided with copies of appropriate publications and a copy of the Board Policy Manual.
  4. The Board president and members of the administrative staff shall also be available to confer with the new member at a mutually agreed upon time.
  5. The member shall attend an orientation and training program approved by the State Board of Education.

Board Approved Date: April 21, 2021
Last Updated: January 1998