Note: This document should not be deemed as completely accurate. Information may change without this site being updated to reflect those changes; or information may have been inadvertently moved or deleted during the conversion to html. The only version of Board Policy that can be deemed correct is the hard (paper) copy kept at the Edison Administration Building located at 3359 E. Midland Road, Bay City, MI 48706
1000—BOARD BYLAWS Table
of Contents – Click on the policy number to quick link to that section.
Policy #
1001 Introduction and Information
Nominating Petition/Filing Fee
Special Elections
Advice of Legal Counsel
1005 District Authority
1010 District Legal Status
1015 District Mission and Vision Statements
1020 Bylaws
1030 Membership
Term of Office
1032 Powers and Duties
Functions of the Board
1040 District Goals and Objectives
1150 Board Officers
President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
Duties of Trustees
1152 Election of Officers and Length of Term
1155 Removal of a Board Officer from Office
1160 New Member Orientation
1162 Board Member Development Opportunities (Cf. 1168)
Board Certification
1167 Compensation
Board Officer Compensation
1168 Reimbursement for Expenses
1170 Board Position Vacancies
Process
1175 Vacancies in Office
1180 Board Advisory Committees
Advisory Committees
Meeting Structure
1185 Board-Superintendent Relations
1190 Professional Services
1191 Attorney
1220 Consultants
1250 Board Remembrances
1260 Board Recognitions
Board Member Recognition
Staff Recognitions
Staff Retirements
1300 Meetings
Organizational
SN The organizational meeting of the Board, usually once a year, when the Board elects its officers.
Regular
Special Meetings
Emergency Meetings
Information/Work/Study Sessions
Adjourned Meetings
1310 Closed Sessions
1320 Agenda
Consent Agenda
1330 Rules of Order
Amendment/Suspension of Bylaws and Policies
1350 Voting Method
1360 Minutes
1370 Public Participation
Handling of Complaints (Cf. 9450)
1375 Mailing of Notices and Documents to the Public
1400 News Coverage
Broadcasting and Taping
Reporting Board Meetings
Cameras
Recording Devices
1510 Bylaw and Policy Development System
Draft Writer
Attorney Involvement
Staff Involvement
Community Involvement
Student Involvement
1550 Bylaw and Policy Adoption
SN The official action of the Board that makes new and/or revised policy statements operable.
Policy Dissemination
Policy Review
SN The periodic assessment by the Board of its existing policies and policy development system.
1570 Review of Administrative Regulations
1575 Administration in Absence of Policy
1600 Board Records
1650 Board Memberships
Liaison with School Board Associations
1730 Board Legislative Program
Legislative Representative
Purpose
Recommended Legislation
Legislative Presentations
1750 Board Self-Assessment/Evaluation
1800 Public School Academies
Contract Limitations
Audits
1950 Board Member Conflict of Interest, Ethics and Responsibilities
Board Member Responsibilities
Employment of Former Board Members
1001
Introduction and Information Top
The
Board shall establish programs and procedures, which shall best produce the
educational achievement needed by District students, and do so within the
financial limitations of the District. The Board will function as a legislative
body in formulating and adopting policy, by selecting an executive officer to
implement policy and by evaluating the results. Further, the Board shall carry
out its functions openly, while seeking the involvement and contributions of the
public, students, and staff in its decision-making processes.
In accordance with these principles, the Board, through its operations, shall seek to achieve the following goals:
1. To function in a non-partisan, broadly representative manner and to emphasize that every Board member should represent the entire District open-mindedly
2. To concentrate the Board’s collective effort on its policy making and planning responsibilities, and to formulate Board policies that best serve the educational interests of each student,
3. To provide the Superintendent with sufficient and adequate guidelines for implementing Board policies,
4. To maintain effective communication with the school community, the staff, and students,
5. To conduct Board business openly, soliciting and encouraging broad-based involvement in the Board’s decision-making processes by public, students, and staff.
Nominating Petition/Filing Fee
The School District Election Coordinator[1]
shall
receive nominating petitions from persons running for the Board or, in the
alternative, personally
receive a
nonrefundable statutory $100 filing fee paid by the candidate.
Special Elections
The Board may schedule special elections at such time, under law, as it shall designate and for such purposes as determined by the Board.
Advice of Legal Counsel
The Board shall seek the advice of legal counsel concerning the proper procedure for scheduling special school elections.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: MCL 168.301-303; 168.641
The Board recognizes that many of the subject topics found in this policy manual may be subject to negotiations under the Michigan Public Employment Relations Act. It is not the intent of the Board to, in any way, circumvent the negotiations process; but rather to establish direction and general and long-range operational procedures for the care and custody, establishment, maintenance, management and carrying on of the public schools and property of the District as authorized under current law.
Whenever the word “Superintendent” or “Principal” appears in these policies and rules, the words “or designated representative” shall be assumed to follow. The delegation of authority of administrative actions does not relieve the Superintendent of the responsibility of the actions of such designated representatives.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: MCL 380.11a
The legal basis for the Bangor Township Schools is vested in the will of the people as expressed in the Michigan Constitution, the statutes pertaining to education, various court interpretations, and the powers implied by the above.
The official name of the school District shall be the Bangor Township Schools, Bay County, and the District shall operate as a general powers school District.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: Michigan Constitution, MCL 380.11a
1015 District Mission and Vision Statements
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide a quality educational program for all students.
In pursuit of this mission, Bangor Township Schools will:
· Employ a competent and caring staff
· Offer a comprehensive educational program
· Provide an environment which is conducive to learning.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to provide quality learning opportunities for all members of the Bangor Township community.
In pursuit of this vision, Bangor Township Schools will:
· Continuously pursue academic excellence.
· Nurture thinking and responsibility.
· Engage all members of the community in the educational program.
· Be a place where everyone is learning.
Approved: November 21, 2005
The exercise by the Board of its powers granted by statute, the conduct of its affairs, and the rights and powers of its members, Directors, and officers shall be governed by these bylaws, in accord with the laws of the State of Michigan and the regulations of the Michigan Department of Education.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: 380.11a (6)
The Board is composed of 7 members serving 4-year terms, and elected at an election held in accordance with MCL 168.1 et seq, or appointed by the Board to fill a vacancy.
Term of Office
The term of office of a Board member shall begin on July 1 following his/her election, or immediately upon Board appointment. The term of a Board member shall end on June 30 of the year his/her term expires.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: MCL 168.302; 168.641; 380.11a
The Board shall act as a legislative body and shall appraise the work and programs of the District.
The Board shall observe and enforce the rules and regulations of the Michigan Department of Education affecting the operation and maintenance of a general powers school District.
Functions of the Board
The Board considers its most important legal functions fall into the following categories:
1. Legislative or Policy Making - The Board is responsible for the development of bylaws and policy, and for the employment of a Superintendent who shall carry out the Board’s policies through the development and implementation of regulations.
2. Educational Planning and Appraisal - The Board is responsible for acquiring and requiring reliable information from responsible sources which shall enable it to make the best possible decisions about the scope and nature of the educational program. The Board is responsible for requiring appraisals of the results of the educational program.
3. Staffing and Appraisal - The Board is responsible for employing a Superintendent of schools and the staff necessary for carrying out the instructional program, for establishing salaries and salary schedules and other terms and conditions of employment, and for establishing personnel policies District-wide in application.
The Board is responsible for appraising the effectiveness of its staff by providing for their regular evaluation.
4. Financial Resources - The Board is responsible for adopting a budget that will provide the financial basis for buildings, staff, materials and equipment, which will enable the District to carry out the educational program. The Board is responsible for exercising control over the finances of the District to assure proper use of and accounting for all District funds.
5. School Facilities - The Board is responsible for determining school-housing needs, for communicating these needs to the community, for purchasing and disposing of properties, and for approving building plans that will support and enhance the educational program.
6. Communication with Public - The Board is responsible for providing adequate and direct means for keeping the local citizenry informed about the schools and for keeping itself informed about the wishes of the public.
7. Judicial - The Board is responsible for acting as a “court of appeal” for school staff members, students and the public when issues involve Board policies and their fair implementation. The Board may exercise the above legal powers and duties only when convened in a legally constituted meeting.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: Michigan Constitution, Article VIII; MCL 380.10, 380. 11 et seq.
1040 District Goals and Objectives Top
The Board shall annually establish and review a set of long-range goals and objectives to guide the operations of the District. All personnel in the District shall direct their efforts toward achieving the goals and objectives of the Board in order to ensure that students are able to function effectively in their environment, employment, and continuing educational efforts.
The Board shall participate in long-range planning through an annual meeting with the Superintendent and senior staff to review progress on the implementation of priorities, initiatives, and long-range plans, to determine which goals have been achieved, whether any new efforts are needed, and to review major issues that may affect the future of the District. The Board also shall consider and act upon objectives and major activities proposed by the Superintendent to achieve long-range goals.
The Superintendent shall develop necessary procedures, forms, or other measures to implement the goals of this policy using simple, logical, and collegial processes.
The Superintendent shall provide opportunities for interested patrons to become knowledgeable about the District long-range planning process, and to review and to make recommendations concerning specific District long-range plans.
The Superintendent shall give the Board periodic reports each year on the progress and success of various plans, and shall ensure that similar progress reports are available to the news media and to District patrons.
Approved: November 21, 2005
The officers of the Board shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers shall be members of the Board
President - Duties
The President shall:
· Preside at all meetings of the Board,
· Countersign orders legally drawn by the Secretary upon the Treasurer for money to be disbursed on behalf of the District,
· Cause an action to be prosecuted in the name of the District on the Treasurer’s bond in the case of a breach of a condition of the bond,
· Perform other duties appropriate to the duties of the office of President in the management of the District.
Vice-President - Duties
· Preside at Board meetings when the President is unable to attend,
· Perform other duties appropriate to the duties of the office of Vice-President,
· Succeed to the office of President when a vacancy in that office occurs.
Secretary - Duties (At the option of the Board, selected duties may be assigned to District staff.)
· Act as clerk at meetings of the Board,
· Record and sign the minutes of meetings, orders, resolutions, and other proceedings of the Board in proper record books,
· Prepare reports as required by the state Board,
· In cooperation with the Superintendent, prepare information regarding professional development opportunities for Board members,
· Draw and sign orders upon the District Treasurer for money to be disbursed by the District. Each order shall be properly numbered and dated, shall specify the sources of the funds called for, the purpose for which, and the fund upon which the order is drawn,
· Serve on the School District Election Coordinating Committee (this duty may be delegated to the Superintendent), and
· Perform other duties required by law and by the Board.
Treasurer - Duties (At the option of the Board, selected duties may be assigned to District staff.)
· Have care and custody of all moneys of the District,
· Keep proper books of account,
· Keep an account of interest received from invested school funds, and credit interest received to the appropriate fund accounts,
· Pay out funds for the purposes specified by law, or, in the case of gifts or donations for the purposes for which the money is given or donated, on proper orders signed by the Secretary and countersigned by the Board President,
· Perform other duties the Board may prescribe in its bylaws relating to the administration of District funds,
· Deposit funds of the District with a bank or banking corporation or trust company designated by the Board in the proportion and manner directed by the Board,
· Pay orders of the Secretary when lawfully drawn and countersigned by the President out of the money belonging to the fund upon which the orders are drawn,
· Cause a record to be kept in which money received and disbursed shall be entered, the sources from which money is received, and the person to whom and the objects for which money is paid,
· Present the Board at the close of the school year a written report containing a statement of money received during the year and of each disbursement made, and
· Perform other duties required by law or by the Board.
Duties of Trustees
· Have care and custody of all school property,
· Oversee the implementation of Board Policies, and
· Serve on ad-hoc, advisory, or standing committees as determined by the Board.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: MCL 380.11a; 168.4; 380.1201
1152 Election of Officers and Length of Term Top
Election of Board officers shall occur at the annual organizational meeting of the Board held in (July if a May election, January if a November election) following the Board election held in accordance with Michigan law.
The length of term for the Board officer positions shall be one year from the Board’s organizational meeting to the following Board organizational meeting.
In the event the Board President is unable to chair the Board’s organizational meeting, the Vice-President shall sit in place of the President until a new President is elected.
In the event a ranking Board officer is unable to chair the Board’s organizational meeting, the Board shall elect a chairperson pro tem to chair the organizational meeting until a President is elected.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: MCL 380.11a; 168.641
1155 Removal of a Board Officer from Office
The Board may remove a member from a Board officer position and shall elect another Board member to the office.
In the event of a motion to remove the President of the Board from office, the President shall be asked, first, by the person making the motion to step aside and allow the Vice-President or other officer to chair the meeting temporarily. If so asked, the President must temporarily vacate the chair or may elect to resign the Presidency voluntarily prior to the motion, discussion, and vote.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: MCL 380.11a
Newly elected members of the Board shall be invited to attend all meetings of the Board prior to the time they officially take office. Newly elected and newly appointed Board members shall be encouraged to attend workshops for new Board members sponsored by the Michigan Association of School Boards.
Present members of the Board and the Superintendent shall conduct an appropriate orientation program designed to acquaint new Board members with the District, Board policy, duties, responsibilities, and other activities.
Newly elected Board members shall receive copies of all agenda, reports, and other communications normally received by regular Board members except information or material of a confidential nature.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: MCL 380.11a
1162 Board Member Development Opportunities (Cf. 1168) Top
The Board recognizes the need for continuing in-service training and education and encourages the participation of all members at these specific categories of activities as a part of their official duties: conferences, workshops, in-service programs, and conventions, at the local, regional, state, and national levels. A Board member’s actual and necessary expenses shall be paid for or reimbursed when the member attends any of these activities.
In situations where a Board member holds a state or national office in a School Board Association, or has been asked or appointed to serve a School Board Association at the state or national level, the Board shall budget for the additional expenses as agreed to prior to the beginning of each fiscal year.
The Superintendent and Board Secretary shall prepare a calendar of annual conferences, workshops, in-service programs, and conventions which Board members may wish to attend. The Superintendent and Board Secretary shall update the calendar with additional in-service programs for Board members, as the programs become known. The Board shall periodically review the calendar and designate those activities for Board member participation along with limitations as to the number of persons attending specific events.
The Superintendent and Board Secretary are responsible for authorizing requests for attendance of Board members at approved meetings if the requests come within budgeted appropriations and limitations.
The Superintendent and Board Secretary shall consult with the Board President in situations where funds may not be available for a specific activity or when a determination is necessary as to who shall attend a given activity when more requests are received than can be honored. The President and Superintendent may bring recommendations to the Board on such matters for final determination.
Funds for participation at all activities shall be budgeted for on an annual basis.
Board Certification
The Board encourages each Board member to earn the Certified Board Member Award (CBA) through the Michigan Association of School Boards Board Member Award Program during the first two years in office.
Expense reimbursement shall be in accord with policy bylaws and procedures on Board reimbursement.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: MCL 380.11a; 380.1254; 388.1764b
The Board authorizes compensation for its members for attendance at any regular, special or subcommittee meeting of the Board, or authorized duty if the duty is related directly to the members’ responsibility and is authorized in advance by the Board.
Meeting compensation shall not exceed $30.00 per meeting – including committee meetings – to a limit of 52 meetings per year.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: MCL 380.11a
1168 Reimbursement for Expenses Top
Board members shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred because of attendance at Board-approved workshops, seminars, conferences, or conventions.
To receive reimbursement for an expense listed in this policy, an expense voucher, together with supporting receipts or other evidence of actual expenses, shall be submitted to the District business office for processing. Payment will be made after the Board approves the reimbursement.
Expenses for spouses, family members, or others accompanying Board members as companions, are not reimbursable unless such persons would otherwise be entitled to reimbursement as conference attendees and employees of the District.
There shall be no reimbursement for the purchase of any alcohol, tobacco, or personal products or services.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: MCL 380.1254; 388.1764b; OAG, 1977-1978, No 5272(1978).
Board member vacancies shall be filled within 30 days from the effective date of a resignation or other event (except a vacancy occurring by recall election), which causes a vacancy to exist. The vacancy shall be filled with a legally qualified person who is appointed by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board at a regular or special meeting of the Board.
Persons appointed to fill a vacancy shall file acceptance of the office, including an affidavit of eligibility, with the School District Election Coordinator,[2] and shall take the oath of office prescribed by law. The appointee shall hold office until June 30 following the next
annual school election.
Resignations are effective without acceptance or approval by the Board.
Process
When a vacancy on the Board occurs, the Board, in filling the vacancy, shall use the following procedures:
(a) The Board President, through public announcements in the news media, shall make known the vacancy has occurred and those persons interested in being considered for appointment should notify the Secretary of the Board by the deadline established by the Board,
(b) The Board shall establish the criteria used in making the appointment,
(c) The full Board, or a committee appointed by the Board, shall review and screen applications to determine which candidates should be further considered for appointment. The full Board will do candidate screening in public session unless the candidate requests confidentiality, as provided in state law,
(d) Those candidates screened for further consideration shall be interviewed by the Board in public session, and
(e) The Board, by roll call vote of a majority of those elected, appointed, and serving, shall determine which candidate shall be appointed to fill the vacancy.
Approved: November 21, 2005
LEGAL REF: MCL 15.261-15.275 (Michigan Open Meetings Act);168.310-11; 380.1103, 380.1104, 380.1106; OAG, 1977-1978, No 5262, p 338 (January 31, 1978); OAG, 1983-1984, No 6124, p 36 (February 9, 1983)
In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice-President shall become President.
In the event of a vacancy in any other Board office, the Board shall fill the vacancy by election at the next regular Board meeting.
Approved: November 21, 2005
1180 Board Advisory Committees Top
The Board may establish such standing, ad hoc, and advisory committees, as it deems necessary. The type and function of each committee shall be dictated by the needs of the District for the special services of such committee. The President shall appoint all members of all advisory committees. Each committee shall organize itself with assistance from the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall provide appropriate District material to each committee. Board Committees must comply with the relevant portions of the Open Meetings Act.
A line of communication shall exist between each committee, the Superintendent, and the Board.
Each committee shall report to the Superintendent and/or the Board as the Board may require by regulation or by procedure.
The Board may dissolve any committee at any time.
Advisory Committees
Advisory committees established by the Board shall:
· Generally have three members of the Board appointed to the committee,
· Have a task specifically defined by the Board,
· Have designated time-lines for reporting to the Board,
· Have no power or authority to act on behalf of the Board unless specifically authorized by the Board,
· Hold hearings only upon approval of the Board, and
· Limit activities and considerations to policy matters and recommendations.
All reports submitted to the Board shall contain:
· The date,
· Committee name,
· Members present at committee meetings, and
· Summaries of Discussions
In appointing members of advisory committees, the President shall consider the recommendation of the Superintendent and other members of the administrative staff, as well as the recommendations of individual Board members.
As soon as an advisory committee has been appointed, the chair of the committee shall call a meeting of the committee for organizing. At said meeting, the chair shall inform the committee of the area of its jurisdiction and the matters the Board wishes the committee to consider in making its recommendations to the Board.
The committee shall meet as frequently as it deems necessary to accomplish the mission assigned to it by the Board. It shall be the responsibility of the chair to report to the Board on the progress and activities of the committee.
At the request of the committee or on the initiative of the Superintendent, the Superintendent shall assign such school personnel to assist the committee in its study as the situation warrants. The Superintendent shall exercise his/her discretion in providing such personnel.
At the request of the committee or at the discretion of the Superintendent, the Superintendent shall make available to the committee such material as the situation warrants and as may be available at reasonable times and at a reasonable cost.
At the request of the committee or upon the initiative of the Board, limited financial assistance may be given to the committee. The Board may request committees to submit budget requests to the Board for approval.
As directed by the Board or upon the initiative of the committee, the committee shall make reports to the Board.
Whenever, in the opinion of the Board, there is no longer any need for an advisory committee created by the Board, the Board shall dissolve such committee by appropriate Board action. Each member of the committee shall be notified of the Board’s action. No committee shall exist longer than one year unless re-app