Saginaw Valley State University

1
Saginaw Valley State University
School/University Partnerships
Presents
2
Board Member Training Workshop
3
Board of Directors

• Legally constituted
• Public entity
• Appointed vs. elected
• Relationship with SVSU

4
Types of Meeting

• Annual Organizational Meeting
• Regular Scheduled Meeting
• Special Meeting
• Emergency Meeting

5
Organizational Meeting (see Tab 1)

• Call to order
• Roll call
• Nominate temporary chairperson
• Administer Oath/Acceptance of Office (see Tab 2)
• Election of officers
• Resolution indicating the Board will comply with
  all laws, rules, and regulations (see Tab 3)

6
Organizational Meeting

• Resolution setting date, time, and place of
  regular board meetings and the location of
  official posting for meeting notices
• Resolution designating depositories for various
  funds and authorized signature(s) for various
  funds and accounts
• Resolution to bond Board Treasurer and others as
  designated by the Board

7
Organizational Meeting

• Resolution appointing legal counsel
• Resolution appointing auditors
• Resolution appointing designated (AHERA) contact
• Resolution to adopt school calendar for ensuing
  year

8
Organizational Meeting

• Resolution designating Freedom of Information Act
  (FOIA) contact Sexual Harassment contact Title
  VI, Title IX, and Section 504 contact
• Adjournment

9
After A Meeting

• Record minutes
• Prepare minutes (8 days)
• Send approved minutes to SVSU (each meeting)
• Approved minutes available to public within five
  (5) days

10
Regular Scheduled Meeting

• Procedures
• Set time and place (done at annual meeting)
• Agenda (sent to board members at least 5 days in
  advance) (see Tab 4)
• Rules of order in board policy
• Quorum
• Voting method (roll call)
• Minutes (see Tab 5)
• Public participation

11
Regular Scheduled Meeting

• Conditions for Closed Session
• Dismissal, suspension, discipline, or complaint
  against board member or employee
• Dismissal, suspension, discipline of a student
• Strategy session for negotiations
• Purchase/lease of property
• Consultation with legal counsel in connection
  with litigation
• Review application for employment
• Consider material exempt from disclosure by
  another law

Separate notes will be taken in closed
sessions. No votes may be taken during closed
sessions.
12
Attorney General Opinion

• Where a committee or subcommittee . . . is
  empowered to act on the matters in such a fashion
  as to deprive the full body of the opportunity to
  vote on the matter, the committees decision is
  an exercise of governmental authority which
  effectuates public policy and the committee
  proceedings are therefore subject to the OMA.
• (Open Meetings Act see Tab 6,
• Attorney General Opinion see Tab 7)

13
Special Meeting

• Purpose
• 24 hour notice
• Called by the president of the board or per
  Bylaws or board policy
• If notified by mail, a 72 hour notice is required

14
Notice Requirements/Special Meetings (see Tab 8)

• Board Notice
• Public Notice
• Board Notice Affidavit
• Public Notice Affidavit

15
Emergency Meeting

• Conditions
• Threat to health, safety, or welfare
• Two-thirds of members must agree
• Action cannot wait
• No notice necessary

16
Public Comments in Meetings

• How to handle public comments at a board meeting
• Make sure board policy is followed
• Response before investigation could be dangerous

17
Community Responsibility
18
Legislative Body
19
Legal Powers
20
The Importance of Budgeting

• Aid to management
• Responsibility for budgeting
• Legislation concerning budgeting

21
Budget Preparation Process (see Tab 9)

• Basic considerations
• Budget formulation

22
Execution

• Responsibility for execution
• Duties of school officials
• Control techniques

23
Purchasing

• Designee
• Budget system
• Bids
• Based on board policy and state law

24
Insurance Coverage (see Tab 10)

• General Liability
• Automotive Liability
• Errors Omissions
• Employee Dishonesty
• Employee Crime
• Workers Compensation

25
Financial Documentation(see Tab 11)

• General Fund
• Cash Forecast Statement
• School Service Fund
• Student Activity Fund

26
Equal Opportunity

• Employment
• Education
• Non-discrimination

(see Board Policies)
27
Sexual Harassment/Intimidation

• Shall maintain a working environment free from
  discriminatory insult, intimidation, or
  harassment due to sex
• Incidents must be reported and investigated
• Employees found guilty shall receive progressive
  discipline
• (see Board Policies)

28
Tobacco-Free Environment

• No one shall smoke or use tobacco products on
  school property, at school events, or while using
  school equipment or facilities
• Exceptions after 600 p.m.

(see Board Policies)
29
Principle I (see Tab 12)

• The ethic of responsibility is to elicit trust.

30
Principle II (see Tab 12)

• Commitment to the educational mission, purposes,
  and goals.

31
Principle III (see Tab 12)

• Commitment to be responsible -
• Members of the board must be committed to be
  responsible in order to cause the best possible
  decisions to be made.

32
Principle IV (see Tab 12)

• Commitment to a profession -
• Board members must be committed to improving the
  status and conditions of mankind by serving
  others.

33
Board Roles (see Tab 13)

• Legislative or policymaking
• Educational planning and appraisal
• Staffing and appraisal
• Financial resources
• School facilities
• Communication with public

34
5 Essentials for an Effective Management Team
(see Tab 13)

• An atmosphere of trust and understanding exists
  between the board and director.
• The director supports the management team
  concept.
• The boards expectations are clearly communicated
  to the director.
• The directors expectations are clearly
  communicated to the board.
• The management team has special planning
  sessions, besides regular monthly meetings.

35
Board Policy (see Tab 14)

• Why have written policies?
• Must have minimal policies to ensure
  administrative and staff direction
• Policies must be in place prior to SVSU contract
  signing

36
What Is Policy? (see Tab 14)

• Dictionary Definition
• A definite course of action or method of action
  to guide and determine present and future
  decisions . . .
• A Guide to Action
• State of purpose or goal
• Express what the board desires to achieve or
  wants to see happen
• Provide a rationale and framework for specific
  requirements

37
The Boards Role Concerning Policies (see Tab 14)

• The most effective means available to a Board of
  Education in exercising leadership for better
  schools is development of policy that expresses
  the Boards goals and desires for school
  improvement

38
Employee Handbook

• Must have minimal employee policies and
  procedures to assist staff
• Handbook must be in place prior to SVSU contract
  signing

(SVSU Requirement)
39
Student Handbook

• Must have minimal student policies and procedures
  to assist in the direction of students
• Handbook must be in place prior to SVSU contract
  signing

(SVSU Requirement)
40
Destructive Team Strategies

• Conflict in School Governance

(see Tab 15)
41
Productive Team Strategies

• Harmony in School Governance

(see Tab 15)