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The School Board

Meetings. Organization. Authority and Role. Distractions. Election. The School Board. Authority. PA Constitution – mandate free public education – Note: only public service mandated!

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The School Board

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  1. Meetings Organization Authority and Role Distractions Election The School Board

  2. Authority • PA Constitution – mandate free public education – Note: only public service mandated! • Legislature – provide for the maintenance and support of a “thorough and efficient” system Art. II, Sec. 14 • School district – “unit of local government” Art. IX, Sec. 10 • Authority – from collective decisions of board NOT individual members

  3. Big Picture

  4. Legislative History 1834 • Create school districts and boards • Confer legal power • Provide autonomy in many operations • Political subdivision of PA • Purpose – convenient administration of schools

  5. Legislative Authority

  6. Roles – Must Dos • Adopt Course of Study • Set school calendar • Adopt textbooks • Elect superintendent/Hire staff • Enter into contracts/agreements

  7. Roles – Must Dos • Adopt annual budget • Levy taxes, appoint tax collector (sometimes) • Provide for buildings and grounds • Provide special education • Prescribe, adopt, and enforce rules and regs re: activities, publications, organizations

  8. Roles –Can Dos • Elect/appoint asst. superintendent • Appoint solicitor & board employees • Purchase, receive, condemn land • Sell unneeded lands & buildings • Make agreements w/ other districts for attendance/tuition of H.S. students

  9. Roles –Can Dos • Provide food and milk to poor kids • Create debt (within limits) • Authorize time/ $ to go to meetings • Provide insurance • Suspend/Expel students or send them to juvenile court

  10. Roles –NOT Dos • Build w/out approval from Dept. of Education & Bureau of Labor/Industry • Exceed budget • Vote to hire your own relative • Accept gifts from teachers or administrators

  11. Roles –NOT Dos • Require religious or political tests of employees • Discriminate on the basis of race, creed or color

  12. Organization Voting Public

  13. Organization Personnel

  14. Meetings (Tuesdays) Township Building* School District Administration Building** 7:00 p.m. 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

  15. Special Meetingsinfo: rtsd.org • Organizational Meetings (December) • Budget Workshops (Oct - April) • Other ie. issue centered feedback or special appointment • Watch meetings to keep the “Sunshine” in government! • Business meetings live on Channel 10; Radnor Channels (11 or 31) Mon. @ 10 a.m., Wed.@ 2:00 p.m, and Fri. @ 6 p.m. • Committee Meetings on Radnor Channels Tues./Thurs. @ 1:00 p.m. • Meetings can be viewed on-line @ www.rtsd.org • Minutes, Agendas, and Presentations on www.rtsd.org

  16. Distractions • Party Politics or Factions (SB 443) • Imposition of State Mandates and Laws Programs/Facilities/Paperwork/Testing/Negotiations/Pension System Act 1 – Set Taxing Parameters • Imposition of Federal Regulations No Child Left Behind/Race to the Top Special Education Initiatives – Standards/STEM

  17. School Directors • Form a Legislative Body (School Board) • Agents of the State Legislature • Nine Members • Four-year terms (5-4 rotation) • No Pay

  18. Eligibility • Pennsylvania Citizen • At least 18 years old • Good moral character • Resident of school district for at least a year prior to election/appointment • Comply with state/federal laws for elected office/service

  19. Running for OfficeDelaware County Board of Elections • File a Petition (signed by 10 qualified voters of a given party) • Cross File (proper petition signed by 10 qualified voters of the other party • Cross filers appear on both party ballots for the general election February 12 – March 19th Last day to withdraw – March 27th

  20. Primary Elections – MAY 21st • Statement of Financial Interest Needed for previous year with petition to Del. County and School Board Secretary) • Note: All Board members provide financial statement by May 1 of each year with school district • All statements open to public for at least five years

  21. Campaign Expenses • File by second Friday before primary with Delaware County • If do not have a committee and do not spend more than $250, an affidavit filed with the petition suffices • Post election expense report is also required!

  22. Good Candidates Not focus on one issue! • Need time, thought and effort required • Responsible for attending meetings • Possess general knowledge about schools – mission, goals, objectives • Familiar with school law and follow it • Adhere to Board Code of Conduct

  23. Good CandidatesFocus on the big picture • Vote impartially for the good of the district • Support will of the majority • Keep superintendent and fellow members advised of feedback • Refer complaints appropriately

  24. Advice to Candidates and Board Members from Mary Beth Sweeney • Listen, Listen, Listen • Treat public with respect • Stop and Think before you make a choice • Keep confidences • Watch e-mails • Don’t jump to conclusions

  25. Advice to Candidates and Board Members from Mary Beth Sweeney • Everything is a study – if you do it right • You asked for it – complaints! • Democracy is messy. • Remember – You are there to provide a good education at a reasonable cost and to treat people fairly.

  26. Advice to the Publicfrom Roberta Winters • Pay attention (Observe.) • Be respectful. • Go through channels. • Do your homework. • Prepare comments in advance. • Bring a friend.

  27. Advice to the Publicfrom Roberta Winters • Listen actively. • Be patient. • Trust but verify. • Find common ground. • Follow the money. • Don’t kill the messenger with the message!

  28. Be Informed Voters and VOTE! • League of Women Voters of Radnor • Candidates Night - Public Forum • Monday - April 29th Radnor Township Municipal Building 7:00 p.m. • Question–and-Answer Format

  29. Resources • PA School Boards Association • www.psba.org • PA Education Policy and Leadership Center • www.eplc.org • PA State Education Association • www.psea.org

  30. A Force for CitizensA Voice for Change www.palwv.org

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