Winston-Dillard School District 116

Orig. Code(s): BBAA

Individual Board Member’s Authority and Duties

An individual board member exercises the authority and responsibility of his or her position only when the board is in legal session.

No member of the board has the authority to act in the name of the board unless so authorized by specific motion of the board.

A board member has the right to express personal opinions. When expressing such opinions in public about school-related matters and the board member’s opinion does not reflect the official position of the board, the board member is expected to identify the opinions as his or her own.

Members shall inform themselves with information requested through board action, information supplied by the superintendent, and information gained by participating in board professional activities.

Members of the board shall adhere to the following procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of board membership:

1. Request for Information

Any individual member of the board who desires a written report or survey prepared by the administrative staff shall make such a request to the superintendent. A copy of such material shall be sent to each member of the board. Requests for reports or information which require additional expense to the district must be submitted to the board for consideration.

2. Requests for Legal Opinions

Any member of the board may request a legal opinion. Such request, however, should be made to the superintendent. If the legal opinion sought involves the superintendent’s employment or performance, the request should be made to the board chair.

3. Action on Complaints or Requests Made to Board Members

When board members receive complaints or requests from staff, students, or members of the public, such information is to be conveyed to the superintendent for action.

4. Board Member’s Relationship to Administration

Individual board members shall become informed about the educational program of the district, may visit schools or other facilities to gain information required to become so informed, and may request information from the superintendent, but shall not intervene in the administration of the district or its schools.

5. Contracts Made by Individual Board Members

Contracts made by individual board members without authority of the board are not binding on the district.

The specific duties and obligations of an individual board member include the following:

1. To familiarize oneself with the state school laws, administrative rules of the State Board of Education, and district policies, rules, and regulations;

2. To have a general knowledge of educational aims and objectives of the school system;

3. To work harmoniously with the other board members without trying either to dominate the board or to neglect the appropriate share of the work;

4. To vote and act in the board meetings impartially for the good of the district without subordinating the education of children to partisan interests;

5. To have the courage of one’s convictions and vote those beliefs, accepting the will of the majority vote in all cases as the policy of the entire board, supporting such policy until such time as the policy may be changed by majority action;

6. To attend all meetings, discuss items presented on the agenda, suggest other items for consideration, and vote upon motions and resolutions presented;

7. To represent the board and the district schools to the public in such a way as to promote both interest and support;

8. To be willing to make sacrifices of his or her time, knowledge, and personal pleasure for the benefit of the district.

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