GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

1000 BOARD/ADMINISTRATION SERIES

BOARD - (Policy Number and date of latest revision)

OPERATIONS - 1000 - 01-19-00

• Eligibility & Qualifications of Members - 1010 - 01-19-00
• Election of Members - 1020 - 03-17-93
• Election of Officers - 1030 - 03-17-93
• Methods of Operation - 1040 - 03-17-93

MEMBERS RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES - 1100
 

• Compensation & Expenses of Members - 1100 - 01-19-00
• New Member Orientation - 1110 - 03-17-93
• Retirement - 1120 - 03-17-93
• Code of Ethics - 1130 - 03-17-93
• Membership in Organizations - 1140 - 03-17-93
• Duties of Board Officers - 1150 - 03-17-93

MEETINGS - 1200 - 01-19-00

• Committees - 1210 - 01-19-00

POLICY DEVELOPMENT - 1300 - 01-19-00

 ADMINISTRATION

 ADMINISTRATION - 1400 - 03-17-93

• Superintendent of Schools - 1410 - 03-17-93
• Evaluation of Superintendent - 1420 - 01-19-00
• Termination of Superintendent - 1430 - 01-19-00
• Non-renewal of Superintendent - 1440 - 03-17-93
• Administrative Leeway - 1450 - 03-17-93

PRINCIPALS - 1500 - 01-19-00

• Evaluation of Principal - 1510 - 03-17-93
• Termination of Principal - 1520 - 05-19-04
• Assistant Principals - 1530 - 01-19-00
• Principal's Administrative Staff - 1540 - 03-17-93
• Department/Grade Level Chair or Block Leaders - 1550 - 03-17-93
• Internships - 1560 - 03-17-93

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR - 1600

• Term & Duties - 1610 - 02-15-95
• Annual Financial Report - 1620 - 02-15-95

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT - 1700 - 03-17-93

• Civil Rights Grievance Procedure - 1750 - 10-19-94
  
  

1000 - BOARD - OPERATIONS

ORGANIZATION

The name of the official governing body shall be Grand County School District Board of Education.

The Grand County School District is an instrument of the State acting in its behalf in educating children.

Grand County School District is a political subdivision of the State of Utah and entitled to the full extent of sovereign immunity of the State.

Grand County School District is an arm of the State of Utah and is entitled to partake in Utah's Eleventh Amendment Immunity from suit by citizens of the State of Utah in Federal Courts.

PURPOSE & ROLE OF THE BOARD

The Board shall provide for a school system and establish general policies for its operation in keeping with the State Board of Education rules and regulations and the requirements of the law. In carrying out this function the Board recognizes these general duties:

1. Formulating and interpreting educational policies.
   
2. Delegating administrative duties.
   
3. In fulfilling these general duties, the Board also recognizes the following additional definite and more specific responsibilities:
   
4. To set salaries.
   
5. To require and evaluate reports from the Superintendent on the educational program and the financial status of the schools.
   
6. To recognize that authority rests only with the Board in official meetings and that the individual member has no legal status to bind the Board outside of such meetings.
   
7. The Board has the legal power and duty to do all things necessary for the maintenance, prosperity and success of the schools and the promotion of education and to exercise all powers given by statute.
   
8. It is the province of the Board to determine what things are detrimental to the successful management, good order, and discipline of the schools and the rules required producing these conditions.
   
9. To adopt such rules, regulations, and bylaws as the Board may deem proper.
   
10. If District is planning to exceed the Certified Tax Rate, notify the Board of Counselors of Grand County of the intent to do so by March 17th and schedule a date and time for the Certified Tax Rate Hearing with the Grand County Clerk/Auditor.
    
11. Establish tax rates each year prior to June 22nd and prepare and file a budget for the next succeeding fiscal year with the Board of Counselors of Grand County. If the Certified Tax Rate is not to be exceeded, adopt the budget by June 22nd. If the Certified Tax Rate is to be exceeded, the budget will be tentative and adoption will take place after the Certified Tax Rate Hearing scheduled with the Grand County Clerk/Auditor.
    
12. Hold Certified Tax Rate Hearing not less than 10 days after mailing by Grand County Clerk/Auditor of the Notice of Property Valuation and Tax Increases and prior to August 17th. Hold Budget Hearing and adopt budget prior to August 17th.
    
13. Have district fiscal accounts audited at District expense by an independent auditor and files with the state superintendent not later than October 1 of each year.
    
14. Receive bequests and donations or other monies or funds that are made for educational purposes.
    
15. Acquire and hold real and personal property in the name of the District.
    
16. Exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire property.
    
17. Hold all rights and titles to the school property of the District, whether real or personal.
    
18. Lease and lease with an option to purchase property.
    
19. Employ by contract a superintendent, principal(s), teachers(s), or other executive officers(s) and set salary schedules therefore.
    
20. Close the schools or suspend operation if necessary.
    
21. Sue and be sued in the name of the District.

Adopted: 3-17-93; Revised: 1-19-00
GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Moab, Utah


1010 - BOARD - ELIGIBILITY & QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

The Board shall consist of five members; one member shall be elected from each precinct. The term of office for an elected member shall be four years beginning on the first Monday in January following the election. Board members must:

1. reside in the district.

2. be a qualified voter.

3. take the constitutional oath of office.

OATH

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Utah, and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity."

VACANCY

The School Board shall fill vacancies on the Board by appointment; if the Board fails to fill the vacancy within 30 days after a vacancy occurs, the County Council shall fill the vacancy by appointment.

In the event a vacancy occurs at least 14 days before the filing deadline, and at least two years of the vacated term will remain after the first Monday of January following the next school Board election, the vacancy shall be filled by an interim appointment for the remaining unexpired term which shall be followed by an election to fill a two-year term.

STUDENT MEMBER

The Board may appoint a student member.

Qualifications

A student petition requesting that the school Board appoint a nonvoting student member to the Board may be submitted to the Board under this section.

The petition shall have the signatures of at least 10% of the number of students regularly enrolled in high school in the district.

Upon receipt of the petition, the Board may order that a nonvoting student member be included in its membership in addition to the number of regular members authorized by law. A student member has the right to participate in all board meetings, except executive sessions. A student member is not liable for any acts of the governing board.

A student board member shall be enrolled in a high school in the district and may be under 18 years of age. A student member's term is for one year, beginning on July 1 of each year.

A student board member is entitled to expense allowances granted other Board members.

Adopted: 3-17-93; Revised: 1-19-00
GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Moab, Utah
 
1020 - BOARD - ELECTION OF MEMBERS

No more than three members may be elected to the Board in any election year, unless otherwise required as a consequence of reapportionment or to fill a vacancy.

CANDIDACY

An individual may become a candidate for a local school board by filing a statement of candidacy. Election of a local school board member shall be in accordance with Title 20 and Sections 53A-1-101 and 53A-1-103. Filings required by Section 53A-101 shall be made in the county clerk's office.

TERM

The term of office for an elected member is four years, beginning on the first Monday in January following the election, except at provided in Section 53A-3-103. A member shall serve until a successor is elected or appointed and qualified.

Adopted: 3-17-93
GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Moab, Utah
 
1030 - BOARD - ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The School Board shall elect a president and a vice-president whose terms of office are for two (2) years and until their successors are elected.

The elections shall be held during the first board meeting in January following a regular board election held in the district.

An officer appointed or elected by the Board may be removed from office for cause by a vote of two-thirds of the Board.

Adopted: 3-17-93
GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Moab, Utah

1040 - BOARD - METHODS OF OPERATION

All actions of the Board shall be taken only in official board meetings called, scheduled and conducted according to these policies and the statutes of the State.

Adopted: 3-17-93
GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Moab, Utah

1100 - BOARD - COMPENSATION & EXPENSES OF MEMBERS

Each member of the local school board, except the student member, shall receive an amount not to exceed $1,500 per year, payable monthly, as compensation for services.

HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFIT

Each member of the school board, except the student member, shall be eligible to participate in the District's health insurance programs during the term of service as a board member. Board members, except the student member, shall receive the same health insurance benefits as a full-time licensed employee.

MEMBER EXPENSES

Reimbursement to board members for reasonable travel expenses for attendance at regional, state, or national conventions, conferences, and workshops, shall be made by the District when attendance is authorized and deemed by the Board to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the educational functions of the district; each member shall submit an itemized account of necessary travel expenses for Board approval. Such activities may not exceed 12 per year. Board members shall also be compensated for necessary expenses incurred by them on behalf of the school district in the discharge of their duties as board members.

NON-MEMBER EXPENSES

The Board may not pay the travel expenses of spouses and other persons who have no responsibilities or duties to perform for the Board when they accompany board members to board-related activities.
 
Adopted: 3-17-93
GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Moab, Utah

 
 

1110 - BOARD - NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

The Board and the administrative staff shall assist each new member to understand the board's functions, policies, procedures, and operation of the school system before he/she takes office. As a minimum, each incoming member shall:

1. be given selected material on the functions of the Board and the school system;
   
2. be invited to attend board meetings and to participate in its discussions in the event that he/she does not take office immediately following his/her election or appointment;
   
3. be invited to meet with the superintendent and other administrative personnel to discuss services they perform for the Board;
   
4. be provided with a copy of the Board's policies and by-laws, and a copy of the administrative regulations; and
   
5. be put on the mailing list for publications and other pertinent materials of the State and National School Boards Associations.
   

Adopted: 3-17-93
GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Moab, Utah

1120 - BOARD - RETIREMENT

Retiring members of the Board shall be appropriately recognized and thanked for their service to the schools and community.

Continuing privileges as may be legally provided them are to be encouraged and may include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. regular issues of news bulletins of the school system;
   
2. annual reports;
   
3. selected special reports;
   
4. complimentary passes to athletic and other school activities; and
   
5. personal invitations to special public functions of the Board.

Adopted: 3-17-93
GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Moab, Utah
 

1130 - BOARD - CODE OF ETHICS

A school board member, operating under the highest ethical standards should:

1. observe and enforce State laws and regulations pertaining to education;
   
2. accept office as a board member as a means of unselfish service;
   
3. transact school business only in regular sessions;
   
4. represent the entire community without fear or favor;
   
5. remember at all times that he/she is one of a team;
   
6. accept all Board decisions once they are made and assist in carrying them out effectively;
   
7. delegate action to the chief school administrator as the board executive and confine board action to policy making, planning and appraisal;
   
8. employ only competent, trained personnel and these only on the recommendation of the chief school administrator; and
   
9. preserve the right and obligation of teachers to teach controversial issues fairly and without bias.

Adopted: 3-17-93
GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Moab, Utah
 
1140 - BOARD - MEMBERSHIP IN ORGANIZATIONS

The Board of Education may ordinarily hold membership in such local, state, regional, and national School Board Associations as may exist, and shall look upon such memberships as an opportunity for growth in board service.

Adopted: 3-17-93
GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Moab, Utah
 

1150 - BOARD - DUTIES OF BOARD OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

The President of the Board of Education shall be the presiding officer of the Board. He/she shall convene and preside at all meetings of the Board and shall sign all warrants, checks, contracts, conveyances, notes, bonds and other instruments which have been ordered to be executed by the Board or as prescribed by law.

The President shall be a voting member of the Board and shall retain the right and obligation to initiate discussion or motions in order to represent the patrons of his/her district. The President shall also perform such other duties usually assigned to the presiding officer or as prescribed by law.

VICE PRESIDENT

The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the president and such other functions as may be designated by the Board.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBER

The function of the board member is to act as part of a team or group and not as an individual. Each member serves in the interest of the people of the whole district and the people of the State rather than in the interest of the election precinct from which he/she was elected. The member should act upon matters only after careful study and only when in session with the Board.

It shall be the policy of all board members to refrain from making any commitment for or against any issue or problem that might come individually to board members while the Board of Education is not in official session. The Board of Education recognizes that there are many factors to be considered and many sides to be weighed in most cases. Only after an issue or problem has been presented to the entire Board of Education, and all sides to such an issue or problem have been presented, and the logic involved has been considered by all members, will decisions and commitments be made. This does not mean that board members will not listen to complaints and receive information from patrons of the district. This policy is intended to prevent premature approval or commitments on issues that might be brought to board members at a time when they have not had sufficient opportunity to weigh all factors concerned.

Generally speaking, requests from individuals or groups who appear at board meetings will be taken under advisement, and no action will be taken until the Board has had time to study properly all aspects of the request.

Adopted: 3-17-93
GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Moab, Utah