The number one priority of a school board is STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.
The school board adopts academic standards for pupils and establishes expectations for education in the district. The school board monitors student achievement and exercises general supervision over the schools.
One of the largest responsibilities is POLICYMAKING.
Policymaking covers the broad range of rules and regulations that school boards enact, alter or repeal. Board policies are the basis of school district operations. To have a well-organized school system, the board needs a sound philosophy of education as a basis for policymaking.
A very important role is that of the hiring and EVALUATION of the Superintendent.
A School Board member must always be cognizant of BOARD-ADMINISTRATOR RELATIONS.
Board members should be aware of the difference between their role and that of school administrators. In essence, it is this: boards set policy, administrators carry it out. The school board should set its goals and operational policies and expect the district administrator to carry them out. Although the board should refrain from becoming involved in the day-to-day operation of the school, it should follow up on the administration and operation of the schools and require periodic reports for purposes of evaluation.
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY is an essential duty for the school board.
An important responsibility is the development of a district budget. The board, after a hearing, approves and adopts an annual budget for the district based on the educational plan of the district and the recommendations of the administrator. The board supervises the execution of the budget, reviews school district accounts, and business procedures and provides for an annual audit of the accounts as required by law.
A key role is that of PUBLIC RELATIONS.
Another important part of the board’s work is its public relations role. A board member should be concerned with building public understanding and support of public education. A board member should lead the public in demanding better education. This means communications; it means serving as a link between the school system and the public; and it means interpreting the schools to the public and the public to the schools. It also means helping to establish a climate for change when change is necessary.
Lastly, a school board member should be in tune with POLITICAL RELATIONS.
In addition to public relations, the school board must be aware of political relations. While election to the school board is conducted on a nonpartisan basis, education is deeply involved in politics. For a school board to be effective, its members must be willing to keep abreast of the actions of other governmental bodies and agencies and be willing to participate in the system, where appropriate.