The Most Important Responsibilities of Local School Boards
Your local school board is elected to carry out a wide variety of responsibilities, but the ones listed below are the most important.
Represent and advocate for the interests of students, parents and taxpayers.
Understand existing ISD policies and help ensure they are followed. Also revise the policies that are harming students and establish new ones when there is a proven need for change.
Oversee, help and ensure the superintendent, and his or her staff, manage community-based planning and action:
a) For and make effective use of all school district and community resources, including time, talent and money - both taxed and donated, for the students’ sake.
b) Serving the needs of all ISD students, including their educational needs. This means among other things, that your school board ensures that the ISD focuses on more than just helping students pass state-mandated tests and provides opportunities for meaningful learning instead.
Understand the responsibilities of the superintendent provided for in 19 TAC 242.15 - Standards for a Superintendent Certificate and he Texas Educators’ Code of Ethic 19 TAC 247.1.
Ensure superintendent candidates are qualified in the Standards for a Superintendent Certificate.
Evaluate if a superintendent is meeting his or her responsibilities by asking questions. Always seek to see and understand documentation that demonstrates the superintendent is fulfilling their responsibilities and for know their answers to a Board member’s questions are accurate.
Provide feedback regarding the superintendent’s proposed annual budget for the ISD and approve a final budget after reviewing documentation that proves that the previous year’s funds were used effectively to improve student achievement.
Set the ISD tax rate.
Call school bond elections when needed.
Want to learn more about the school board in your ISD? Google it.
MORE INFORMATION
FIFTEEN GREAT RESULTS IF EDUCATION LEADERS DID THEIR JOBS
Education leaders would comply with their legal obligations according to the Texas Education Code and school district policies and would no longer violate the rights of students, parents, teachers and taxpayers.
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ELEVEN ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE NOW TO HELP IMPROVE EDUCATION IN YOUR ISD
Recognize that you have the right to expect the superintendent and members of the school board to work on behalf of students and to put their needs first.