B - School Board Operations
B - School Board Operations
-
BA
Goals and Objectives
The board shall adopt goals for the school district that provides the best educational system possible within the fiscal, human and material resources of the district.
Adoption Date: 6/6/2006, Revised: 7/7/2008
-
BBBB
New Member Orientation
The superintendent and board president shall conduct an orientation program to acquaint new board members with board policy, district operations, and procedures. The orientation shall also describe the duties and responsibilities of board members, the superintendent, the clerk and other administrative staff. Newly elected and newly appointed board members shall be encouraged to attend workshops for new board members.
Prior to the time they officially take office, newly elected board members shall be invited to attend all board meetings, except when the board is in executive session. They shall receive copies of all agendas, reports and other communications received by current board members except information or material of a confidential nature.
Adoption Date: 6/6/2006, Revised: 7/7/2008
-
BBBF
Reimbursement for Expenses
Board members shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred for any travel approved by the board. Board members who provide their own transportation shall be reimbursed for each mile actually traveled in attending approved meetings and in the performance of district business. Any payments to board members must be in the form of a reimbursement for amounts previously paid by the board member, and receipts shall be provided by the board member in accordance with the provisions of GAN.
Adoption Date: 6/6/2006, Revised: 7/7/2008
-
BBC
Board Committees
The board shall act at all times as a committee of the whole.
The board may establish subcommittees or subordinate groups as provided herein. Any subcommittee or other subordinate group created by the board shall be subject to the open meetings law whenever a majority of the subcommittee or subordinate group meets.
Sub-committees or subordinate groups of the board shall consist of no more than three board members.
The function of each subcommittee or subordinate group shall be dictated by district needs.
No financial assistance shall be furnished to any subcommittee or subordinate group without prior board approval. Upon request, each subcommittee or subordinate group shall provide a progress report in writing to the superintendent and/or the board.
The board may dissolve any subcommittee or subordinate group at any time.
No such subcommittee or subordinate group shall exist longer than one year unless reestablished or reappointed by board action.
Adoption Date: 6/6/2006, Revised: 7/7/2008; 08/12/2013, 6/2025
-
BBE
Attorney
The board shall appoint an attorney to handle legal matters.
Adoption Date: 06/06/2006, Revised: 07/07/2008; 07/11/2022
-
BCAC
Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called at any time by the president of the board or by joint action of any three board members. Written notice, stating the time and place of any special meeting and the purpose for which the meeting has been called shall, unless waived, be given to each board member at least two calendar days in advance of the special meeting. No business other than that stated in the notice may be transacted at the special meeting.
Adoption Date: 06/06/2006, Revised: 07/07/2008; 02/11/2019
-
BCAC
Waiver of Notice - Special Meeting
I hereby waive the written notice required under the provisions of K.S.A. 72-1138 as to the time, place, and purpose of a special meeting of the Board of Education of Unified School District No. 443, State of Kansas, held on_____________ , 20__.
________________________
Member, Board of Education
________________________
Member, Board of Education
________________________
Member, Board of Education
________________________
Member, Board of Education
________________________
Member, Board of Education
________________________
Member, Board of Education
________________________
Member, Board of Education
Attest:
________________________
Clerk, Board of Education
Unified School District No.443
Ford County
State of Kansas
Adoption Date: 06/06/2006, Revised 07/07/2008; 07/09/2018
-
BCAE
Public Hearing
The board may hold public hearings on matters which the board deems appropriate. Public hearings shall be held at a convenient time and a suitable place.
The board president or vice-president shall preside at public hearings and shall request every participant to state name, residence and purpose for speaking. After a hearing is called to order the board may designate another individual to run the actual hearing.
Adoption Date: 6/6/2006, Revised: 7/7/2008
-
BCBD
Agenda
The board shall adopt an agenda at the beginning of each meeting. The superintendent shall distribute background material concerning agenda items to all board members prior to each meeting, which then shall be referred to as the annotated agenda.
The board agenda shall be compiled by the superintendent in cooperation with the board president. Other board members may request items to be placed on the agenda. The agenda may include a period of time when the public may speak to the board.
The annotated agenda shall be sent to all board members at least three calendar days prior to any regular board meeting.
Adoption Date: 2/9/1998, Revised: 7/7/2008
-
BCBF
Rules of Order
The board shall be governed by laws and rules adopted by the board. Robert’s Rules of Order shall not be adopted by the board.
The president (or vice president in the absence of the president) shall preside at all meetings. The president shall present each agenda item for discussion or designate the superintendent or other staff member to present the agenda item. If both president and vice president are absent, the members present shall elect a president pro tempore who shall serve only for that meeting or for that part of the meeting in which the president and vice president are absent.
Any board member who wishes to make a motion, second a motion, or discuss pending business shall first secure recognition of the board president.
All formal board actions shall be taken by ordinary motions unless a formal resolution is required by law. It shall not be necessary for a motion to be before the board to discuss an agenda item which has been presented by the board president for consideration. In the ordinary course of events, the board shall discuss all matters other than routine procedural questions prior to the making of a motion so reaching of consensus may be facilitated.
The following motions shall be in order:
- To recess;
- To take action;
- To amend a motion to take action, but the amending motion shall be disposed of before any other motion to amend the main motion shall be in order;
- To defer action, either finally or to a specific time, date, and place;
- To go into executive session; and
- To adjourn, either finally or to a specific time, date, and place.
The president may call a meeting to order or, without objection from a majority of the board, call for a break or adjourn the meeting without a motion.
Adoption Date: 6/6/2006, Revised: 7/7/2008
-
BCBG
Voting Method
The board shall take action by way of motions. No motion may be acted upon until it has been seconded by a board member. The vote on all motions shall be by "yes" and "no" and will be taken by a show of hands or other public voting method. Following each vote, the president shall announce the motion carried or failed by a vote of ___ affirmative votes to ___ negative votes. The minutes shall indicate whether a motion passed or failed. Each board member shall have the privilege of explaining any vote.
Any abstaining vote shall be counted as a "no" vote. (See KSA 72-1138)
Any member may declare a conflict of interest in a particular issue and shall leave the meeting room until discussion and voting on the matter is concluded. The minutes shall note that a particular member has declared a conflict of interest and left. The minutes shall also record the time the member left the meeting and when the member returned to the board meeting.
Adoption Date: 06/06/2006, Revised: 07/07/2008; 07/09/2018
-
BCBH
Minutes
Accurate minutes of each board meeting shall be taken and transcribed. The clerk shall be responsible for taking and transcribing minutes of each board meeting. The board shall designate an acting clerk if the clerk is absent. Neither the superintendent nor a board member may serve as acting clerk. Unofficial minutes shall be sent to the board as soon as possible after each meeting. The board shall review minutes of each meeting as soon as practicable, shall make any corrections or changes required to make the minutes accurately reflect board actions taken, and then approve the minutes as presented or changed.
The minutes shall clearly reflect all motions voted on by the board, including board actions taken on motions which did not pass. The minutes will not contain a summary of each statement, either written or oral, made by a board member, a guest or a member of the staff unless the board chooses to have written remarks made part of the minutes. If a request is made, the board may direct the clerk to attach a copy of the written remarks to the original minutes.
Adoption Date: 6/6/2006, Revised: 7/7/200
-
BCBI
Public Participation
Open Forum
The president or presiding officer may ask patrons attending if they would like to speak during the open forum, when such time is designated on the agenda. Rules for the public forum will be available from the clerk prior to the board meeting and at the meeting itself. The board president may impose a limit on the time a visitor may address the board. The board president may ask groups with the same interest to appoint a spokesperson to deliver the group’s message. Except to ask clarifying questions, board members shall not interact with speakers at the open forum.
Patron-Requested Agenda Items
Any patron may request addition of a specific agenda item and shall notify the superintendent {seven} days prior to the meeting and state the reason(s) for the request. The superintendent shall determine whether the request can be solved by staff without the patron’s appearance before the board. If not, the superintendent shall consult with the board president, and the patron’s request may be placed on the next regular board meeting agenda.
Handling Complaints
The superintendent may refer complaints to the board only if a satisfactory adjustment cannot be made by a principal, the superintendent, or other appropriate staff members.
Request to Add an Agenda Item
This form must be completed and returned to the clerk or the superintendent at least seven (7) days before the meeting at which you wish to speak. Your request will be reviewed, and one of two recommendations will be made:
- Referral of your request to the appropriate administrator.
- Decision by the Board of Education to add as agenda item.
Presentations shall not typically exceed five (5) minutes, unless previously approved by the President of the Board of Education.
Subjects, other than policy issues, will generally be referred to the administration.
Comments shall be limited to issues and not refer to personalities.
Presentations must be in good taste befitting the occasion and the dignity of the board meeting. Typed copy or an outline of your presentation must be included with this request form. Permission to appear before the board at a regular meeting is subject to the above rules.
Adoption Date: 6/6/2006, Revised: 7/7/2008
Request to place an item on the board agenda
Request to speak to agenda item
-
BCBJ
News Coverage
The board may provide accommodations for members of the news media present at board meetings. The superintendent may provide copies of the board agenda to news media prior to each board meeting upon request or as required by law. At an appropriate time, the board or superintendent may explain board action.
Cameras/Recording Devices
Reasonable requests for the use of cameras, photographic lights, and recording devices at any board meeting shall be allowed. The use of such devices at any said board meeting shall be permitted only when, in the judgment of the board, their use or proposed use will not be a disruptive influence upon the proceedings.
All recording devices, including microphones, shall be kept in an area designated for the media. Use of recording devices shall not interfere with or disrupt the meeting.
No cameras or recording devices shall be allowed at executive sessions of the board.
Adoption Date: 6/6/2006, Revised: 7/7/2008
-
BCBK
Executive Session
The board shall conduct executive sessions only as provided in the Kansas Open Meetings Act (“KOMA”). Any motion to recess for a closed or executive session shall include:
- A statement describing the subjects to be discussed during the closed or executive meeting;
- the justification for closing the meeting; and
- the time and place at which the open meeting shall resume.
A subject of executive session is the matter or issue presented for discussion, and the motion must include a brief description of the subject(s) to be discussed in the executive session while still protecting important privacy interests.
Acceptable justifications for recessing into executive session include the following:
- The non-elected personnel exception under KOMA;
- The exception for matters which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship under KOMA;
- The exception for employer-employee negotiations under KOMA;
- The exception for data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individual proprietorships under KOMA;
- The exception relating to actions adversely or favorably affecting a student under KOMA;
- The exception for preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property under KOMA;
- The exception under KOMA for school security matters to ensure the security of the school, its buildings, and/or its systems is not jeopardized.
Discussion during the closed or executive session shall be limited to those subjects stated in the motion. No binding action shall be taken during closed or executive session. The complete motion to recess into closed or executive session shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting and maintained as a part of the permanent records of the board.
If necessary, the closed or executive session may be extended with approval of another motion made after the board returns to open session.
Unless the recording of an executive session is required by law, such as when conducting a student disciplinary apparel hearing therein, any recording, livestreaming, or broadcasting of executive session, using any medium, if strictly prohibited, and the board of its administration shall press criminal charges against the offender for breach of privacy and any other applicable law.
Policy References: IDAE and II
Policy References: JDD and JRB
Adoption Date: 06/01/1999, Revised: 07/07/2008; 02/12/2018; 06/24/2024; 12/2025
BCBK - EXECUTIVE SESSION
Sample Motions for Executive SessionA motion looks like the following. “I move we go into executive session to [fill in subject(s)] pursuant to [fill in justification], and the open meeting will resume in the board room at [fill in time].” If the board wishes to invite additional individuals, such as the superintendent, into executive session, they should also mention them in the motion.
SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED
(Provide a brief description of what subject will be discussed while still protecting important privacy interest)- Example: discuss an individual employee’s performance
- Example 1: discuss confidential student information
- Example 2: hold a student discipline appeal hearing
- Example: discuss coding mechanisms PowerSchool uses to secure student data with PowerSchool representatives
- Example: discuss potential litigation with our legal counsel
- Example: discuss the latest proposal for increasing the base pay rate from the teachers
- Example: discuss potential properties for a new middle school site
- Example 1: discuss the high school crisis plan
- Example 2: discuss the exact placement of security cameras and alarms throughout the buildings
JUSTIFICATION- non-elected personnel exception under KOMA
- the exception relating to actions adversely or favorably affecting a student under KOMA
- the exception for data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individual proprietorships under KOMA
- the exception for matters which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship under KOMA
- the exception for employer-employee negotiations under KOMA
- the exception for preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property under KOMA
- the exception under KOMA for school security matters to ensure the security of the school, its buildings and/or its systems is not jeopardized
-
BDA
Developing, Adopting, Amending, and Repealing Board Policy
The board shall adopt all policies, regulations, and handbooks, all of which are deemed to be board policy. Board policies, regulations, and handbooks may be amended or repealed at any board meeting by a majority vote of the board.
Drafting Policy
The superintendent shall recommend policy changes. The superintendent may involve appropriate staff members, patrons, community members, or students when revising or drafting new policy.
Attorney Involvement
Board policies or recommended changes thereto may be submitted to legal counsel to determine their legality before they are submitted to the board.
Policy Dissemination
Changes in board policy shall be disseminated as appropriate. The superintendent shall ensure appropriate dissemination of current policy and removal of obsolete policies from the board’s policy system. At least one current policy manual shall be accessible in the central business office. Current board-approved policies may be posted on the district website, or other website designated by the board. Board members, district staff, patrons and others will be encouraged to use the website to access current board policy.
Historical Policy Files
The clerk shall keep a historical set of board policies which will reflect all revisions or other actions pertaining to every policy.
Public Input on Policy
Individuals or groups may submit proposed changes in board policy.
Action Allowed When No Policy Exists
In an emergency, when action must be taken but present policy does not dictate appropriate action, the superintendent shall have authority to act. Any decision shall be subject to board review at the next meeting. The superintendent may recommend any necessary policy changes.
Adoption Date: 06/06/2006, Revised: 07/07/2008; 07/11/2022 12/24/2024
-
BE
School Board Records
The board shall keep records necessary to document board actions.
Adoption Date: 6/6/2006, Revised: 7/7/2008
-
BG
Memberships
The board may maintain membership in the Kansas Association of School Boards.
Adoption Date: 06/06/2006, Revised: 07/07/2008; 07/11/2022 12/2025
-
BK
Board Self-Evaluation
The board shall conduct an annual self-evaluation. Each board member shall use a self-evaluation instrument to appraise individual performance and/or the performance of the board as a whole. Results of these evaluations shall be discussed at least annually, and revised standards and priorities shall be developed to guide the board’s development in the coming year.
Board members should be involved in developing the standards and process to be used.
The standards may include, but not be limited to:
- Educational leadership;
- Policy development;
- Board member development and performance;
- Relationships with the superintendent and other staff members;
- Communications with the public;
- Fiscal management;
- Board meeting organization and committee performance; and
- Relationships with cooperating agencies and other governmental organizations.
The board considers the following conditions crucial to self-evaluation:
- Evaluation shall be at a scheduled time and place with at least 6 board members present.
- The evaluation shall be a composite of the individual board members’ opinions.
- The evaluation shall discuss strengths, as well as areas needing improvement.
- The evaluation results shall be discussed in detail, and the board shall formulate a series of objectives for the coming year.
Adoption Date: 6/6/2006, Revised: 7/7/2008