About the Board of Education (Draft)

10 quick facts about our Board of Education

1. The Board of Education meets throughout the academic year and during the summer.
2. Board members do not represent particular geographical areas but serve at-large.
3. Board members serve for three-year terms.
4. Regular meetings are set in July each year at the reorganizational meeting.
5. Board members also meet for numerous special meetings, retreats and workshops.
6. Board members attend numerous special events, school visits and ceremonies. 
7. Board members are elected during the annual budget vote in May.
8. Board members do not receive any compensation for their service.
9. Board members serve on a variety of committees, including the audit, communications, facilities/visitation, policy, wellness, technology and diversity, equity and inclusion committees. 
10. The Board of Education recognizes students with the Certificate of Education during the Board of Education Spotlight, which is held during regular board meetings. 

 

Do you want to know more about what it means to serve on the Board of Education? See Below! 

What exactly do school boards do? 

According to the New York State School Boards Association, a school board: 

• Develops a shared vision and goals for the district. 

• Ensures alignment of strategies, resources (including the approved budget), policies, programs and processes with district goals. 
• Assesses and accounts for student achievement using comprehensive data, thorough deliberation and open communication. 
• Conducts performance evaluations of the superintendent to continuously set standards of improvement. 
• Leads the district, accentuating and reinforcing the positive while correcting the negative. 

An effective school board member understands that it is not his or her job to run the district, but instead ensures the district runs effectively and efficiently. In other words, the board oversees the education of students and is responsible for school district operations, but does not directly run the district’s day-to-day operations. 

How much time is required to serve as a school board member?

Board of Education members meet about twice a month for regular school board meetings. In addition, members are expected to participate in committee meetings, work sessions, board retreats, special board meetings and attend school functions. Furthermore, New York State law requires board members to complete six hours of financial training during your first year in office. NYSSBA strongly encourages school board members to attend other trainings, especially ones that cover the state Open Meetings Law, conflicts of interest, executive sessions (private, confidential meetings of the board) and the state Freedom of Information Law (which makes school board member’s emails and other materials open to the public).