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Barre Town Supervisory District Policy Manual

TITLE: Organization of the School Board   CODE: BD

I. The School Board

School Board In accordance with Vermont Statutes Annotated, the Barre Town School Board is an agent of the State and the duly constituted authority of the Town of Barre in all matters relating to the operation of the public school.

Membership The membership of the five-member School Board, terms of office, and method of election of members shall be in accordance with applicable Vermont Statutes and/or School District Charter.

II. Committees

The School Board may from time to time form ad hoc study or advisory committees for the purpose of studying matters of concern to the School Board, and report findings and recommendations to the School Board. Such ad hoc committees may, but need not, include members of the School Board.

III. Organization

Meeting for Election of Officers
Within 14 days following the School District Annual Meeting, the Board will elect a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and clerk from its own membership. The School Board will appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the School Board.

Terms of Office
Officers of the School Board will hold office until the next annual election of officers.

Vacancies
If a vacancy occurs in the School Board, the vacancy will be filled by the Selectmen, according to the provisions of the Vermont Statutes Annotated.

Officers

  1. Chairperson: The chairperson will preside at all School Board meetings. He/She will act as parliamentarian and be responsible for the appropriate conduct of all meetings. He/She will sign legal documents and contracts for the School Board and perform other duties as determined by the School Board.
  2. Vice-chairperson: The vice-chairperson will serve in the absence of the chairperson, and during this service will exercise all the powers of the chairperson.
  3. Clerk: The clerk will cause to have maintained permanent records of the proceedings of the School Board meetings. Original copy of these meetings will be retained in the Superintendent's office. In the absence of the chairperson and vice-chairperson, the clerk will exercise the powers of the chairperson.

Bylaws are standing rules established by Boards to govern their own organization and operation as a municipal corporation as annotated in Vermont State Statute.

Policies are written statements that provide the framework within which the educational programs operate, responsibilities are fixed, and direction and guidance is given to the staff of the school system under the leadership of the Superintendent.

Rules and regulations are formulated by the superintendent and principal to implement the policies established by the School Board.

Job descriptions are personnel policies and give direction to all employees in regard to their duties and responsibilities as school employees or elected officials.

IV. Meetings

  1. The Board at their annual reorganization meeting shall determine their meeting schedule for the year. The time and place may be changed with the consent of the School Board and with prior notice of 24 hours to the newspaper.
  2. No action of a School Board will be valid except upon the approval of the majority of the members of the School Board present at a properly called meeting. The clerk of a School Board will cause to have notice of each meeting given to each member of the School Board and the notice will specify the time, place, and purpose of each meeting. This notice is to be published at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting time.
  3. Adjourned Meetings: Any meetings of the School Board may be adjourned to any succeeding day by vote of the majority of the members in attendance at the meeting. Notice of the adjourned meeting will be given to the absent members and to the media.
  4. Quorum: A quorum for the transaction of business will be a majority of the School Board.
  5. Rules of Order: Robert's Rules of Order will govern the proceedings of the School Board.
  6. Public Attendance: Meetings of the School Board for transaction of business will be open to the public, except that the School Board may, by majority vote, meet in executive session to discuss such matters as provided in the Vermont State Statutes.
  7. Public Participation in Meetings: The chairperson, at his/her discretion, may, recognize members of the audience for the purpose of addressing the School Board. This time period will be in accord with Robert's Rules.
    Subjects raised by the audience will not be formally discussed without being on the agenda in accordance with Article IV, paragraph 8.
    During other portions of the meeting, the chairperson may, with School Board approval, open a topic to discussion from the audience.
  8. Agenda: A preliminary agenda for regular meetings will be prepared by the superintendent and Board chairperson and forwarded through the office of the superintendent to each member of the School Board not less than 48 hours prior to the Board meeting. Items not appearing on the agenda will be considered by the Board only with the majority consent of the entire School Board.
    Persons not members of the School Board, desiring to place subjects on the agenda, will submit these in writing to the superintendent ten days prior to meeting date. Copies of all submitted items will be sent with the agenda whether or not the superintendent has placed the item on the agenda.
    Special School Board meetings will be called by the School Board chairperson or by a majority of the School Board members. Items for a Special School Board meeting must be submitted to the superintendent not less than twenty-four hours prior to the meeting being called.
  9. Policy Review: The Board will review any policy rules or regulations on written request of any parent or citizen of the Town of Barre. Any policy revision, in order to be considered, must be delivered to the Board members at least 48 hours prior to the meeting and must appear on the published agenda. Proposed policy deletions, additions, or changes considered at such meeting shall be classified as "first reading" with action at subsequent meeting. There will be a minimum of thirteen (13) days between the first and second meeting. Warnings will be posted and advertised at least ten (10) days prior to the adoption.
  10. Appeals: Any complaint which any person-or persons desire to make about school matters must be presented to the superintendent or the principal. An appeal of the decision of the principal may be made to the superintendent and an appeal of the decision of the superintendent may be made to the School Board. An appeal to the Board must be made in writing and signed, or the complainant must appear before the Board in person.

V. Amendments

  1. These Bylaws may be amended by a vote of the majority of the Board at a regular or special meeting of the School Board, provided written notice and the text of the particular change proposed is given to each member at least fourteen days in advance.
  2. If any article or section of any article of these Bylaws is declared unconstitutional or illegal by any court, or if disapproved by any state authority having jurisdiction, the validity of the remaining provisions of these Bylaws will not be affected thereby.

1st Reading: 12/1/99
Date Adopted: 1/5/00
Date Revised:
Date Effective: 1/5/00
Legal Reference(s): T.16 554
Cross References:
Date Distributed: 1/7/00