Board of Education

Michael LaCava, President	Jim Keefe
Sarah Dadey, Vice President	Deborah Knapp Miller
Ronda Akl	Patti Sofranko
Carole Dwyer

How quickly are the Board of Education minutes posted?
What is the Board of Education?
What does the Board of Education do?
Who can be on the Board?
How do you get on the Board?
What are the responsibilities of being on the Board?
Can community members attend Board meetings?
If I have concerns to present to the Board, what is the appropriate action to take?
What are the Board of Education policies regarding Executive Sessions, Public Complaints, and Public Expressions at Meetings?

How quickly are the Board of Education Minutes posted?
According to the Board of Education Policy, minutes shall be available to the Public within two weeks following the date of the meeting.  These minutes, so marked as draft copies, will be available in the School District Offices.  Officially approved Board of Education Minutes will be posted at the Board of Education Website.

What is the Board of Education?
The Board of Education carries one of the most important responsibilities that can be assigned to any citizen group: helping to plan the education of the state's youth. School Board members are NYS officials. Board members receive no pay for their service except the satisfaction that comes from rendering an indispensable public service.

What does the Board of Education do?
The School Board sets goals and establishs policy for the school system. All board decisions should follow logically from the board's delineated goals and objectives as stated in the district's Policy Manual. Board members are expected to make decisions on a wide range of problems. Some decisions are strictly routine, while others are somewhat more complex; some are extremely important and some may result from lesser concerns.

An important duty of board members is to approve the budget and spending priorities of the district; at the same time, seek to ensure adequate local, state and federal revenues to support the budget. The board should refrain from becoming involved in the day-to-day operation of the school, but it should follow up on the administration and operation of the school and require periodic reports for purposes of evaluation.

Perhaps the most important work a board member can do is to help build the community's support and understanding of public education. This means serving as a link between the school and the public and interpreting the schools to the public and the public to the schools.

Who can be on the Board?
School board candidates must be at least 18 years old, qualified voters in the school district and able to read and write. They must be residents of their districts for 1 year before the election, and cannot be employed by the board on which they serve or live in the same household with a family member who is also a member of the same school board.

How do you get on the Board?
Candidates must submit a nominating petition to the school district clerk. Forms are available in the District Office. The petition must be signed by at least 25 qualified district voters. This petition must be filed with the district clerk at least 20 days before the election meeting, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

What are the responsibilities of being on the Board?
The School Board is a corporate entity with duties and mandates prescribed by law, but its leadership stems from commitments to children, learning and the community. Being a School Board member means that you are responsible for a multi-million dollar corporation. Although it is a volunteer position, it's duties are extremely important and essential to the functioning of this community educational resource. It is not a position to be taken lightly.

Board duties:
1. Attend and participate in board meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.
      - Read the board packet ahead of time.
      - Familiarize yourself with important issues.
2. Attend additional Board work sessions as called.
3. Participate in at least two different subcommittees.
4. Spend time in the district in order to facilitate a greater understanding of the day to day functioning of the schools.

Can community members attend Board meetings?
Yes. Board meetings are open to the public but there is only a short opportunity at the begining and end of each meeting to share public concerns. The rest of the meeting is held in public, but is not an appropriate time for community interaction.

If I have concerns to present to the Board, what is the appropriate action to take?
If your issue is about student related problems the appropriate process to have your concerns addressed is:
1. Contact your student's teacher to see if the issue can be appropriately dealt with.
2. If the issue cannot be adequately resolved, contact the building Principal.
3. If the issue remains unaddressed, contact the Superintendant.
4. If the issue remains unresolved, it is appropriate to address the Board of Education with your concerns. This communication can take place either in the form of a letter to the Board, or you can present your concerns in person. Since some things are not appropriate to discuss in a public forum, you may request in writing a private meeting with the Board. The Board, at their discretion, has the right to grant such sessions.