View source for Board Development Opportunities 1645

HAGERMAN JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 233 

Board Development Opportunities 

The Joint Hagerman School District Board of Trustees realizes that proper board training is important. Decisions about school policy, personnel, finance, curriculum and communications can be overwhelming and may require training. Training board members to be effective leaders and decision makers is an educational investment that benefits the entire community. The Board believes that with proper training, it can create a positive and productive atmosphere for decision-making. There needs to be strong leadership among board members demonstrated by teamwork, effective communication, problem-solving skills and positive relationships between the board and the superintendent. 

The board places a high priority on the importance of a planned and continuing program of in-service education for its members. The central purpose of the program is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of public school governance in our community. The board shall plan specific in-service activities designed to assist board members in their efforts to improve their skills as members of the policy-making body; to expand their knowledge about trends, issues, and new ideas affecting the continued welfare of our local schools; and to deepen their insights into the nature of leadership in a modern democratic society. 

Funds may be budgeted annually to support the program. Qualified training in continuous improvement planning, finance, superintendent evaluation, ethics, and governance may be reimbursable by the State through the process outlined in Idaho State Board of Education rule. Individual board members shall be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses, as prescribed in policy 1420, incurred through participation in approved activities. The board, as a whole, shall retain the authority to approve or disapprove the participation of members in planned activities. The public shall be kept informed through the news media about the board’s continuing in-service education and about the programs anticipated for short-and long-range benefits to our schools. 

The board regards the following as examples of activities and services appropriate for implanting this policy: 

# Participation	in school board conferences, workshops and conventions held by the	state and national school boards associations. 

2.	District-sponsored training sessions for board members. 

3.	Subscriptions to publications addressed to the concerns of board members. 

In order to control both the investment of time and funds necessary to implement this policy, the board establishes these principles and procedures for its guidelines: 

# A calendar of school board	conferences, conventions and workshops shall be maintained by the	superintendent. The board will periodically decide which meetings	appear to be most promising in terms of producing direct and	indirect benefits to the district.  

2. 	Funds for participation at such meetings will be budgeted on an annual basis. When funds are limited, the board will designate which of its members would be the most appropriate to participate at a given meeting. 

3. 	When a conference, convention or workshop is not attended by the full board, those who do participate will be requested to share information, recommendations and materials acquired at the meeting. 

School board members are encouraged to attend workshops presented by the state and national school boards associations. 

Cross Reference:	1315 District Planning

Legal Reference:	I.C. §33-320 		Continuous Improvement Plans and Training

			IDAPA 08.02.01.801	Planning and Training

Policy History: 

Adopted on: 	10/8/2012

Reviewed on:	

Revised on:	08/11/2014

		07/13/2015