East Windsor Public Schools
Board of Education Policies
Bylaws Series 9000
Bylaws of the Board
Powers, Duties and Limitations of the Board
A. Agent of the State
The Board, as an agent of the State, shall make effective, within the Town of East Windsor, the laws of the State pertaining to public schools.
B. Legal Authority
1. Legally, the Board has no existence outside of its meetings. It exists as a unit, and it cannot evade its responsibilities or give away its powers.
2. Likewise, the individual member has legal authority only when the Board is in session and never as an individual outside of School Board meetings.
C. No Financial Profit
1. A Board member shall not profit financially from membership.
2. A member shall sell neither goods nor services to the school system, unless decreed otherwise by special Board action.
D. Employment of Relatives
1. Hiring Immediate Relatives - No son, daughter, brother or sister, mother or father, husband or wife of a member of the Board of Education shall be employed by the Board.
2. Continuing Employment - Employees already on the payroll shall not be dismissed when a relative is elected to the Board.
E. Hiring a Superintendent
The Board of Education shall employ an able and qualified Superintendent of Schools.
F. Adoption of Policies
1. The operation of the school system shall be directed through general policy statements adopted by the Board of Education. When necessary, the Superintendent of Schools shall develop administrative regulations for the purpose of implementing Board policies.
2. All policies must be adopted by the Board.
3. Amendments to the policies as well as new policies must be proposed in writing at a regular meeting and referred to the next regular meeting of the Board for action.
4. A majority vote of the whole Board shall be necessary for adoption of policies.
G. Access to Information
Ready access to information pertinent to matters of concern to the Board of Education is a requisite if such Board is to meet its responsibilities. The Board of Education collectively, and each member as an individual, should be able to secure needed data in amounts and under conditions considered reasonable by the Board of Education.
In order to provide adequate information flow to the Board and each of its members, the following procedures are established:
1. The Superintendent of Schools shall provide a confidential memorandum on key issues, to be included in each pre-meeting packet.
Such memorandum shall include sufficient information so as to provide for understanding the nature of the issues by Board members.
2. Each Board member shall have access to all information referred to or having implications to any of the items on the agenda prior to the Board meeting, and at ensuing times prior to the final disposition of the same.
This information shall be made available during the regular business hours or, upon request to the Superintendent or delegated representative by a member, at times outside of regular business hours.
All records, reports, and other matters of the School Board, within the public realm, shall be made available to any members of the Board, outside of business hours.
3. The Superintendent of Schools shall provide a locked file for the Board room into which information approved for individual members may be placed and secured.
4. Each Board of Education member, upon request, shall have access to a key to the office of the Superintendent of Schools and one to the file.
5. Each member shall select his/her own time to study material so provided, but no material shall be taken from the Board room.
6. The confidentiality of material so viewed is to be respected, and no person other than those approved by the Board shall enter the office or have access to the information.
7. Each member who seeks information in this manner assumes, full responsibility for the care and safety of the material being studied, and the security of the office of the Superintendent of Schools.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1-200 Definitions
10-186 Duties of local and regional boards of education
10?220 Duties of boards of education.
10-221 Boards of education to prescribe rules
10-240 Control of schools
10-241 Powers of school districts
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
Bylaws of the Board
Role of the Board and Its Members
Statement of Integrity
The long term health of a representative democracy requires that citizenship and leadership act upon what is right, rather than what is popular. As Board of Education members, our goal is to improve the education of our children and to advocate for them and their best interests. Board members must be working effectively together and with others in the community to successfully reach this goal. A Board of Education that operates with integrity will be a more effective Board. Integrity is first, discerning what is right and what is wrong, second, acting upon what you have discerned even at personal cost; and third, saying openly that you are acting on your understanding of right from wrong. It requires that students, colleagues, constituents, and others in the community be considered in every decision. A Board of Education with a sense of integrity will consider what is right, and what is wrong. This takes discipline and an awareness of one's environment.
To this end, as a Board of Education with integrity, we will:
· Understand that our first and greatest concern is the educational
welfare of the students.
· Render all decisions based solely on our judgment of the available
facts and not surrender that judgment to individuals, special interests, or
our own personal agendas;
· Attend all Board meetings insofar as possible, and be prepared to discuss
and/or act upon all agenda items;
· Be responsible for becoming informed on any and all issues coming before
the Board;
· Seeks to facilitate ongoing communication between the Board and students,
staff, parents and all elements of the community;
· Conduct our meetings and foster an environment where all elements of
the community can express their ideas;
· Declare a conflict of interest when it arises and excuse ourselves
from related discussion and action on that issue;
· Refrain from using our position on the Board for personal or partisan
gain;
· Insist on regular and impartial evaluation of all staff, and conduct
a yearly self-evaluation and set annual goals;
· Fairly assess all non-instructional aspects of the school operation;
AND
· Support all decisions by the Board to the community once a decision
has been reached.
The East Windsor Board of Education is committed to the highest legal and ethical standards essential in governing its school system. It endeavors to encourage growth and support established and innovative educational objectives.
(cf. 9000 - Role of Board and its Members)
(cf. 9271 - Code of Ethics)
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9010
Bylaws of the Board
Limits of Authority
The responsibility of individual Board members is one of trust to the Board
and to the District. This trust can best be upheld when relationships are established
with regard to the Board, administration, staff and citizenry. Such relationships
as established by the Board are as follows:
1. Board member’s primary responsibility is to serve the District as a member of the Board of Education whose authority is derived from its compliance with statutory requirements, and its bylaws, policies and regulations. As an individual, Board member’s legal authority exists at such time the Board is in session.
2. Individual Board members shall be granted authorization to conduct Board
business upon Board approval. Such authorization will be with regard to such
matters as, but not restricted to, educational needs, facility needs, transportation,
budget preparations, negotiations, and those matters pertaining to the function
of a standing committee or the responsibility of an officer of the Board.
3. Personnel records other than those made available to the entire Board by
the Superintendent of Schools shall not be made available to individual Board
members unless it is appropriate and necessary in order to fulfill specific
responsibilities set forth by the Board.
4. Board members shall exercise respect in those matters pertaining to the responsibilities
of the Superintendent of Schools whose authority for administering the educational
program and conducting school business is vested in his office and his professional
and non-professional staff.
5. Board members shall uphold the position that they are without legal authority
outside of meetings of the Board and shall conduct their relationships with
school staff, district citizens and all media of communication on the basis
of this fact.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-220 Duties of boards of education.
10-232 Restrictions on employment of members of the board of education.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9012
Legal Responsibilities of Boards of Education
Powers, duties, and responsibilities of Connecticut Boards of Education originate
from state statutes. The Board of Education has responsibility for district
education and for maintaining good public elementary and secondary schools;
implementing the educational interests of the state as defined in Section 10?4a,
including efforts to reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation, and complying
with orders from the Commissioner of Education arising from hearings held under
10?4b (on complaints alleging failure or inability of the Board to implement
the educational interests of the state); providing all children of the school
district as nearly equal advantages as may be practicable; and providing such
other educational activities as in its judgment will best serve the interest
of the school district. Other specific Board of Education responsibilities enumerated
in state statutes and carried out either through its own action or delegated
duties to its Superintendent and administration include:
1. preparation of an annual budget (10-222);
2. monitoring and directing budget expenditures and prevention of over-expending the total appropriation to the Board by the town (10-222);
3. provisions for each resident child of school age to attend public day school for the period required by law (10-220);
4. insuring that each child five years of age and over and under sixteen years of age attends schools in accordance with state requirements (10-220) (10-184 as amended by PA 98-243);
5. provision of at least one hundred eighty days of actual school sessions each year; a minimum of nine hundred hours of actual school work in grades 1-12 and at least four hundred fifty hours of actual school work in kindergarten (10-15)(10-16);
6. determination of the number, age, and qualifications of the students to be admitted into each school (10-220);
7. acting as a body corporate with powers to sue and be sued; to purchase,
receive, hold, and convey real and personal property for school purposes; to
build, equip, purchase and rent schoolhouses and make major repairs on them,
and to supply them with fuel, furniture, and other appendages and accommodations;
to establish and maintain schools of different grades; to establish and maintain
a school library; to make agreements and regulations for establishing and conducting
of schools consistent with regulations of the town; to employ teachers in accordance
with Section 10-151 or authorize the Superintendent of Schools to employ teachers;
as a school district through its Board of Education, the town is authorized
to pay taxes and borrow money for educational purposes and to make agreements
and regulations (10-241);
8. provision of textbooks, supplemental books, and library books, supplies,
materials, and equipment loaned and furnished to students free of charge subject
to Board and Superintendent rules of care and use (10-228); change of textbook
adoptions requires at least a two?thirds vote of the Board notice of such potential
adoption having been given at a meeting at least one week previous to the vote
(10-229);
9. establishment of school attendance areas (10-220)
10. participate in a state-wide inter-district public school choice attendance
program; (10-4a as amended by PA 98-168, Section 23)
11. provisions for reasonable and desirable student transportation to school
(10-220)(10-220c); to state vocational and state vocational agricultural schools(10-97),
and equivalent transportation for students in grades K-12 attending nonpublic
nonprofit schools within school district boundaries when a majority of such
students attending the nonprofit nonpublic schools are residents of Connecticut
(10-281);
12. employment and dismissal of certified personnel in accordance with state statutes and Board policies (10-220);
13. provision of an appropriate learning environment for students which includes (1) adequate instructional books, supplies, materials, equipment, staffing, facilities and technology, (2) equitable allocation of resources among schools and a safe school setting. (10-220)
14. continuing study of the need for school facilities and of a long?term school building program and from time to time making recommendations to the town (10-220);
15. care, maintenance, and operation of buildings, lands, apparatus and other property used for school purposes (10-220);
16. insuring all buildings and all capital equipment against loss in an amount not less than eighty percent of replacement cost (10-220);
17. provision of in?service training for certified teachers, administrators, and other personnel (10-220a);
18. provision of United States Flags for each schoolroom to be displayed therein
each school day, also provide each school with a U.S. Flag of silk or bunting
not less than four feet in length and a suitable flagstaff or other arrangement
whereby such flag may be displayed on school grounds in good weather and on
the inside of the school building in inclement weather (10-230);
19. saving harmless Board members, teachers, or other employees from financial
loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, arising from any claim, demand,
suit, or judgment by reason of alleged negligence or other act resulting in
accidental bodily injury or death of any person or accidental damage or destruction
of property including, but not limited to, infringement of a person’s
civil rights which result in any injury as long as employee actions are not
wanton, reckless, or malicious and are, at the time of such acts, acting in
the discharge of his or her duties or within the scope of employment or under
the direction of the Board (10-235);
20. saving harmless Board members and employees from financial loss and expense, including payment of reasonable medical expenses or other services, as a result of an assault while the employee was acting in the discharge of his or her duties or within the scope or employment or under the direction of the Board, when expenses aren’t paid by an employee’s insurance, workers’ compensation, or any other source not involving an expenditure by the employee (10-236a);
21. conducting a public hearing on any issue specified in a written petition within three weeks of receiving the petition signed by one per cent of district voters, or fifty voters whichever is greater; such public hearing shall be held at a time and place designated by the Board of Education not later than three weeks after receipt by the Board of such petition (10?238);
22. granting the use of rooms, halls, school buildings or grounds, or any other school facilities, for voting, under the provisions of Title 9 whether or not school is in session, subject to reasonable restrictions the Board of Education may impose (10?239);
23. submission of required reports to the Commissioner of Education or State Board of Education, including:
a. not later than September 1st of each year, of all receipts, expenditures, and statistics required by the Commissioner on such forms, with such documentation and in accordance with instructions of the Commissioner (10-227); such report to be certified not later than December 31st of the same year by an independent public accountant (7-392);
b. each five years, in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner, (1) a statement
of educational goals for the public schools developed with parents, students,
school administrators, teachers, citizens, local elected officials, and any
other groups or individuals the Board determines, such goals to be consistent
with statewide goals of the State Board of Education (10?220), and (2) a five
year plan for the ongoing and systematic assessment and improvement of teacher
evaluation and professional development related to student needs (10-151b)(10-220a);
c. each year at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes,
attestation that the district’s educational program offerings and instruction
are based on stated educational goals previously developed and submitted as
described in “b” above (10-220);
d. by May 1st of each year, in a format as required by the CSDE, strategic school profiles for each school (10-220);
e. prior to each October 1st, the name, address of employment, and contractual annual salary of all certified employees (10-226);
f. the name and address of a new Superintendent of Schools within seven days after notice of his or her decision to accept a contract offer for employment (10-226);
g. at such time and in a manner prescribed by the State Board of Education, data on racial minorities in district schools (10--226a);
h. annually, through enumeration or other means approved by the Commissioner of Education, on the form prescribed, a report of the number of children of compulsory school age (10-249).
i. annually to the Commission of Education on the condition of facilities and the action taken to implement the long term school building program. (10-220)
j. biennially, beginning, October 1st, 1998, to the regional education service center on the programs and activities undertaken in the district to reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation.
24. development of written policies, procedures, rules on:
a. management, studies, classification and discipline of the public schools; textbooks, rules for school library media centers, books and educational media; approval of plans for school buildings, and school oversight (10-221);
b. student conduct and notification to parents of student suspension and expulsion; and promulgation of rules at least annually to students (10-221)(10-233e);
c. homework, attendance, promotion, and retention (10-221);
d. student truancy (10-198a);
e. use, sale, or possession of alcohol or controlled drugs by students on school
property (10-221);
f. youth suicide prevention and youth suicide attempts (10-221);
g. parent-teacher communication/parental involvement(10-221);
h reporting complaints re school transportation safety and reporting of accidents at school bus stops (10?221c);
i. school district use of repayments and insurance proceeds in the year of loss from lost or damaged textbooks, library materials, or other materials (net of any costs the Board of finance incurred, if any, for replacing such lost, damaged or stolen books or materials) (10-222a);
j. uniform treatment of recruiters, military and non?military (10-221b);
k. protection of children from abuse (17a-101—17a-106)
25. Under permissive powers, the Board of Education is not obligated to, but may at its discretion:
a. establish and maintain summer schools on a voluntary basis and charge children a reasonable fee not to exceed the cost of programs, provided the Board may waive any charges for good and sufficient reason (10-74a);
b. authorize administrators to suspend students, out of school or in-school, and from bus privileges and recommend expulsion of students whose conduct endangers persons or property or is seriously disruptive of the educational process or violative of a publicized Board policy (10-233c);
c. insure against liability imposed by Sections 10-220 and 10-235 (10-236);
d. upon request, for not less than one semester’s use, of nonpublic school students, or their parents/guardians, residing in and attending a nonpublic school in the district, free loans of current district textbooks (10-228a);
e. provide inter-group relations teacher training and select a coordinator of inter-group relations, provide for workshops and training in inter-group relations, evaluate and recommend textbooks and curricula materials concerning racial and cultural minorities, and introduce and implement programs of inter-group relations in the schools (10-226&10-227);f. establish and maintain school activity funds (10-237);
g. provide for use of any room, hall, schoolhouse, school grounds, or other school facility for nonprofit educational or community purposes (10-239);
h. appoint and prescribe duties of licensed dental hygienists (10-213);
i. regardless of whether school is in session grant temporary use of rooms, halls, school buildings, or grounds, or other school facilities for public, educational, or other purposes or, when school is not in session for political discussions (10-239);
j. contract with a federal governmental agency for funds to establish a demonstration scholarship program for up to five years (10-239a et. seq.);
k. take by eminent domain, upon approval of the legislative body, land for a site, or addition to a site, for a public school building (10-241a);
l. provide out of district transportation to a non?profit Connecticut elementary or secondary nonpublic school approved by the State Board of Education (10-280a);
m. provide services of a school psychologist, remedial speech, school social worker, and special language teachers for non?English speaking students to children attending private nonprofit schools within the town (10-217a, Section 3g)
n. operate student savings programs with any banks (36a-300);
o. establish vocational guidance as part of the educational program and employ a vocational counselor (10-21);
p. exchange professional personnel and students with institutions of other states and other countries and conditions for such exchanges (10-27);
q. offer one half credit in community service if courses are supervised by
certified teachers, are of fifty or more hours non?school time, and with at
least ten hours of related classroom instruction (10-221a);
r. provide sanctions against students who damage or fail to return textbooks,
library materials, or other educational materials (10-221);
s. establish firm high school graduation date on or after the 185th school day (10-16L).
t. provide transportation to an out-of-district charter school. (10-266m)
26. compliance with all provisions of the following Connecticut General Statutes:
a. Sections 1-13 through 1-18 and 1-200 through 1-241 - Freedom of Information Act on public records and meetings;
b. Sections 7-391 through 7-396a — Municipal Audits;
c. Section 7-421 — political activities of classified municipal employees for elective office. Leaves of absences. Service on governmental bodies of the town in which the employee resides;
d. Sections 7-467 through 7-479 — negotiations with non?certified (municipal) employees;
e. Section 7-479 — conflicts of interest for Board of Education members;
f. Section 8-24 — municipal and school district improvements and municipal planning commissions;
g. Section 9-185 through 9-206a — election of municipal officers and members of Boards of Education;
h. Sections 10-14m through 10-14r — educational evaluation and remedial assistance programs;
i. Section 10-15b — parental or guardian access to student records;
j. Section 10-15c — prohibition of public school discrimination among children;
k. Section 10-16a — silent meditation;
l. Section 10-16b — prescribed courses of study;
m. 10-16c through 10-16f — family life education;
n. Section 10-17 — English language as the medium of instruction in all
public elementary schools with exceptions made for bilingual programs;
o. Sections 10-17e through 10-17f — required bilingual programs;
p. Section 10-18 — required courses in United States History, government and duties and responsibilities of citizenship;
q. Section 10-18a — multicultural interests in selection of textbooks;
r. Section 10-18c — firearm safety programs and exemptions from participation;
s. Sections 10-19 through 10-19b — teaching about alcohol, nicotine, or tobacco; drugs and acquired immune deficiency syndrome and training of personnel; substance abuse prevention teams and advisory councils on drug abuse prevention;
t. Sections 10-21b through 10-21e — programs offered by employers, programs offered jointly by Boards of Education and business firms, and school business forums;
u. Sections 10-29a through 10-29b — school observances of special days proclaimed by the Governor of Connecticut;
v. Sections 10-33 through 10-36 — high school operations and tuition;
w. Sections 10-39 through 10-63t — regional school districts;
x. Sections 10-64 through 10-66 — regional vocational schools;
y. Sections 10-66a through 10-66n — regional educational service centers;
z. Sections 10-67 through 10-73 — adult education;
aa. Sections 10-76a through 10-76ee — special education;
ab. Sections 10-94f through 10-94k — surrogate parent programs;
ac. Section 10-145 — employment of properly certified professional personnel;
ad. Section 10-151a — access of teachers to personnel files;
ae. Section 10-151b — evaluation of certified Board of Education employees;
af. Section 151c — confidentiality of teacher evaluations;
ag. Section 153 — prohibition of discrimination among professional employees on the basis of marital status;
ah. Section 10-153 through 10-153r — certified employee negotiations;
ai. Section 10-157 — Superintendents: relationship to local or regional Board of Education; verification of certification status; written contract of employment; evaluation of Superintendent by Board of Education;
aj. Section 10-155f — prohibition of residency requirements for teachers;
ak. Section 10-156d—reemployment of certified employees after military leave;
al. Section 10-158 — cooperative arrangements among towns. “Teacher” defined for purposes of this Section;
am. Sections 10-183b through 10-183nn — teacher retirement;
an. Section 10-186 through 10-193 — Boards of Education/student attendance;
ao. Section 10-203 — school sanitation;
ap. Sections 10-204 and 10-204a — vaccination and required student immunizations;
aq. Sections 10-205 and 10-207 — appointment and duties of school medical advisers;
ar. Sections 10-206, 10-206a, 10-206b, 10-208, 10-208a, 10-209, 10-210 — student health assessments;
as. Section 10-212 — appointment of school nurses and nurse practitioners;
at. Section 10-212a — administration of medicines by school personnel;
au. Section 10-214 — vision, audiometric, and postural screenings: when required; notification of parents re defects; and record of results;
av. Section 10-214a — eye protection for students;
aw. Section 10-214 b — compliance reports by Boards of Education;
ax. Section 10-215 — lunches, breakfasts and other feeding programs for
public school children and employees;
ay. Section 10-217a — Boards to provide the same health services for children in private nonprofit schools within the town as for local public school children;
az. Sections 10-217c, 10-217d, 10-217e, 10-217f 10-217g — warning labels on art or craft materials of toxic substance, carcinogens, and a statement of safe use and storage for such materials; restricting purchases of art or craft materials by local or regional school districts without such labeling;
ba. Section 10-231 — requirement for monthly fire drills in each building;
bb. Sections 10-282 through 10-292 — school building projects;
bc. Sections 14-212 through 14-292 — operation, drivers, markings, etc. of school buses;
bd. Sections 16a-38 — energy utilization and conservation and life cycle cost analyses for new school construction;
be. Sections 17a-101 through 17a-106 — protection of children from abuse;
bf. Sections 19a-332 through 19a-332d—carcinogens, asbestos abatement;
bg. Sections 20-412a through 20-412c — speech pathologists and audiologists;
bh. Section 22a-449h — replacement of underground storage systems;
bi. Section 29-313 — regulations and prohibitions on use of certain fire extinguishers on school buses;
bj. Sections 29-381 through 29-389 — safety of public buildings;
bk. Sections 31-23 and 31-24 — protection of employees and certain prohibitions on employment of minors;
bl. Sections 46a-58 through 46a-62 — prohibition of discriminatory employment practices;
bm. Sections 46b-120 through 46b-150d — juvenile matters, families with
service needs, emancipation of minors, etc.;
bn. Section 47-47 — prohibition against barbed wire around public buildings;
bo. Sections 52-57 through 52-572 — statutory right of action and defenses including the “Good Samaritan Law” as applicable to school personnel;
bp. Sections 53-392a through 53-392e — academic crimes;
bq. Section 53a-18 — use of reasonable physical force.
br. Public Act 93-263 An Act Improving Educational Quality and Diversity;
bs. Public Act 93-304 An Act Prohibiting Smoking in Public Buildings.
bt. Public Act 97-290 An Act Enhancing Educational Choices and Opportunities.
bu. Public Act 98-168 An Act Concerning State Agency Placements and Special Education.
bv. Public Act 98-139 An Act Concerning Student Suspension and Expulsion.
bw. Public Act 98-141 An Act Concerning Budget Line Transfers by Local Boards of Education.
bx. Public Act 98-243 An Act Concerning Early Reading Success.
by. Public Act 98-129 An Act Concerning Hand Gun Safety.
(cf. Board of Education Policies Series 1000 through 9000)
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9110
Number of Members, Terms of Office, Oath of Office
The East Windsor Board of Education consists of nine members who are elected
bi-annually.
Terms of Office
The term of office of a school Board member shall be for four years. Members shall take office at the first regularly scheduled meeting in December. Before entering upon their official duties, members of the Board of Education shall take the oath of office before the Town Clerk or their designee.
Term of Board Officers
All officers of the Board shall hold office for a term of one year and until their successors are elected and have qualified, except in case of removal as provided in 9222.
Legal Reference: East Windsor Charter
Section 3-2 Elected Town Officers, Boards and Commissions
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
The East Windsor Board of Education shall, no later than one month after the
date of which the newly elected members take office, elect from its number a
Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of such Board for the
ensuing one year and may prescribe their duties.
How Elected
Each voting Board member shall cast his/her vote for election of officers. The vote of each member shall be reduced to writing and shall be made available for public inspection within forty-eight hours, excluding Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays. The results of the election shall also be recorded in the minutes of the meeting and the minutes shall be available for public inspection at all reasonable times. If such officers are not chosen after one month because of a tie vote of the members, the Town Council shall choose such officers from the membership of the Board.
(cf. 9221 - Filling Vacancies)
(cf. 9222 - Resignation/Removal from Office/Censure)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-218 Officers. Meetings
East Windsor Charter
Chapter IX, Department of Education, Section 2: Organization
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
Chairperson of the Board
1. The Chairperson shall preside at Board meetings.
2. He/She shall perform all duties imposed by Statute.
3. He/She shall call special meetings of the Board that he/she shall deem necessary, and it shall be his/her duty to do so upon written request of one-third of the members of the Board.
4. The Board Chairperson is ex-officio member of all subcommittees.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-218 Officers. Meetings.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9122
Vice Chairperson of the Board
In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall perform all of the duties of the Chairperson.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
1. The Secretary shall perform all duties imposed by Statute.
2. He/She shall conduct correspondence for and in the name of the Board as authorized by the Board.
(cf. 9120 - Officers and Auxiliary Personnel)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10?218 Officer. Meetings.
10?224 Duties of secretary.
10?221 Salaries of secretary and attendance officers.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9123.1
Recording Secretary/Clerk
The Board of Education shall be staffed by an individual who will serve as Recording
Secretary.
The Recording Secretary/Clerk shall be responsible for accurate records of the proceedings of the Board; and for the preservation of reports of committees and communications addressed to the Board, reports of the Chairperson/President, and reports of the Superintendent.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-218 Officers.
10-224 Duties of secretary.
10-225 Salaries of secretary and attendance officers.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
1. The Treasurer of the Town of East Windsor is by law the Treasurer of the Board of Education.
2. He/She shall sign all warrants drawn in settlement of obligations ordered paid by the Board.
3. He/She shall be under bond, the amount to be determined by the Town Board of Finance.
4. He/She shall perform the duties imposed by Statute.
Legal Reference: East Windsor Charter
Section 8-11, Treasurer.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9124.1
Board Financial Secretary
1. The Superintendent of Schools shall be the Board Financial Secretary.
2. The duty of the Board Financial Secretary is to sign checks as Financial Secretary showing approval of expenses incurred by the Board.
Reference: Board letter of July 19, 1967 to Town Treasurer authorizing Superintendent to be Financial Secretary of Board
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
In the absence or incapacity of the Board Financial Secretary, the Superintendent shall delegate the Business Assistant or an Administrator as an alternate to the Board Financial Secretary.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
Committees of the Board of Education shall be established at the first regularly
scheduled meeting in December, or as needed, by a majority vote of the Board.
Duties of each committee shall be determined as a committee is formed.
Each committee may make a report through its Chairperson when needed or appropriate.
No committee shall have power other than to recommend to the Board of Education unless specially authorized. No committee, or member of a committee, is authorized to make any contract or enter into any agreement which involves the expenditure of money, unless such contract or agreement is authorized by the Board either in regular or special meeting.
All committees of the Board of Education shall follow the provisions of the Freedom Of Information Act as required by statute.
(cf. 9132 - Standing Committees)
(cf. 9133 - Special/Advisory Committees)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1-200 through 1-241 of the Freedom of Information Act.
1?200 Definitions.
1?225 Meetings of government agencies to be public.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
The Board of Education shall act as a committee of the whole in final consideration
of all matters.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1-200 Definitions.
1-225 Meetings of government agencies to be public.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
The East Windsor Board of Education designates the Superintendent of Schools
or his/her designee as the official representative of the Board on matters of
common concern, as determined by the Board as being negotiable, in the preliminary
stages of negotiations. However, the final decision on any matter and/or problem
of common concern, considered by the Board as negotiable, shall be made by the
Board. One or more members of the administrative staff may also be appointed
by the Superintendent to serve on the Board's negotiating committee.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9160
Student Involvement In Decision Making
The Board acknowledges the value of the insights, opinions and information that
can be provided by members of the student body. To this end:
1. The Board encourages students to attend regular Board of Education meetings and will review the order of business to address areas of specific student interest through its Student Body to the earliest possible time.
2. Representative(s) of the Board will meet during the day with the Student Council Presidents and Vice-Presidents at least once per school year if requested by the respective Student Council. The meetings will be used to discuss areas of common interest. Each meeting will be followed by a report to the Board of Education.
3. The Administrator of each school shall make the Board meeting agenda available to students and publicize the Board's invitation to any student to attend any Board of Education public session and to speak during the public participation period on any matter whether on the agenda for the meeting or not.
4. This policy will be published annually in the school handbooks.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
Revised: May 7, 2002
9221
Structure of the Board
Filling Vacancies
A. Introduction
Whenever a vacancy shall occur on the Board through the death, resignation,
or
ineligibility of one of its members, the remaining members of the Board of Education
shall elect a successor until the next town election when the vacancy shall
be filled by election.
B. Procedure
The following procedure shall be used to fill vacancies on the Board of Education:
1. When a Board member is resigning from the Board, he/she shall notify the
Board
of the decision and the date on which the resignation will take effect.
2. By formal action of the Board, the Chairperson of the Town Committee of the
political party that the Board member represents will be informed of the resignation
or other reasons that have caused a vacancy to exist. The Town Committee will
be asked to nominate a replacement to fill the vacancy within 45 days. As a
courtesy, the Chairperson of the Town Committee of the other political party
will also be notified.
3. Upon receipt of the name or names of individuals being recommended to fill
the vacancy, the nominations will be considered by the Board of Education at
the next regular meeting.
4. Board members may also nominate individuals to fill a vacancy on the Board
of Education. However, all individuals nominated to fill a vacancy must be a
member of the same political party , or be endorsed by the same political party
, as the person whose seat he/she is filling.
C. Legal Implications
When filling a vacancy on the Board of Education all issues pertaining to that
matter will be resolved pursuant to appropriate state statutes and regulations;
the Charter of the Town of East Windsor; and, Robert's Rules of Order.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
7 -107 Vacancy appointments by selectmen. 9-204 Minority representation on boards
of education. 10-219 Procedure for filling vacancy on board of education. 10-156e
Employees of boards of education permitted to serve as elected officials; exception.
10-232 Restriction on employment of members of the board of education. East
Windsor Section 6-3 Removal of Appointed Officials Section 2-3 Vacancies. Bylaw
adopted by the Board: March 21, 200 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS East Windsor,
Connecticut
Bylaws adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, East Windsor CT
9230
Orientation of Board Members
The Board of Education and the administrative staff shall assist each new member-elect
to understand the Board of Education's functions, policies and procedures and
operation of the school district before the member takes office. The following
methods shall be employed:
1. The incoming member shall be given selected materials on the function of the Board of Education and the school district.
2. The incoming member shall be invited to attend Board meetings and to participate in its discussions.
3. The incoming member shall be invited to meet with the Superintendent and other administrative personnel to discuss services they perform for the Board and the school district.
4. The incoming member shall be provided with a copy of the Board 's policies and bylaws, administrative regulations and copies of pertinent materials developed by the State School Board Association.
5. The incoming member may attend, at district expense, workshops for newly elected members as approved by the Board of Education.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9250
Remuneration and Reimbursement
Remuneration
Board of Education members shall receive no compensation for their services.
Reimbursement
1. Out-of-State Travel
Board members authorized to attend educational conferences out of state shall be reimbursed, upon submitting vouchers and supporting documentation, for reasonable expenditures, transportation costs to and from the destination and registration fees. Board members must have approval in advance from the Board of Education.
2. In-State Travel
Board members shall be reimbursed, upon submitting vouchers and supporting documentation, for reasonable expenditures incurred in connection with the performance of their official Board duties.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-225 Salaries of secretary and attendance officers.
10-232 Restrictions on employment of members of board of education
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
The East Windsor Public Schools shall maintain adequate insurance to protect
the district and its Board of Education against loss because of fire, damage
to school property, loss to other property, or general liability resulting as
a responsibility of the school district, and save harmless its Board and staff
while acting in behalf of the school district.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-235 Indemnification of teachers, board members and employees in damage suits; expenses of litigation.
10-236 Liability insurance.
10-236a Indemnification of educational personnel assaulted in the line of duty.
No member of the Board of Education, officer, or employee shall have an interest
in any contract with the school district, affiliated with the school district
unless such interest is specifically permitted by statute.
"Interest" shall mean pecuniary or material benefit accruing to a Board of Education member, officer or employee or their relatives resulting from a contractual relationship with the school system.
No member of the Board of Education may be employed for compensation by the school district. If a Board member is employed by the school district the office to which he or she was elected or appointed shall become vacant.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
7-479 Conflict of interest (municipal employees).
10-156e Employees of boards of education permitted to serve as elected officials; exception.
10-232 Restrictions on employment of members of the board of education.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
The success of every school system depends on an effective working relationship between the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools. This code incorporates those standards and responsibilities most critical to productive Board and Superintendent relations.
· Boards members and Superintendents ensure the opportunity for high
quality education for every student and make the well being of students the
fundamental goal of all decision-making and actions.
· Board members and Superintendents are staunch advocates of high quality
free public education for all Connecticut children.
· Board members and Superintendents honor all national, state and local
laws and regulations pertaining to education and public agencies.
· Board members and Superintendents recognize that clear and appropriate
communications are key to the successful operation of the school district.
· Board members and Superintendents will always carry out their respective
roles with the highest levels of professionalism, honesty and integrity.
· Board members recognize that they represent the entire community and
that they must ensure that the community remains fully informed on school-related
matters.
· Superintendents and Board members recognize that the Superintendent
serves as the Board of Education’s agent and will, in that role, faithfully
apply the policies and contracts adopted by the Board.
· Board members adhere to the principle that they shall confine the Board’s
role to policy-making, planning and appraisal while the Superintendent shall
implement the Board’s policies.
· Board members and Superintendents both recognize that they serve as
a part of an educational team with mutual respect, trust, civility and regard
for each other’s respective roles and responsibilities.
· Board members are committed to the concept that the strength of the
Superintendent is in being the educational leader of the school district.
· Board members and Superintendents practice and promote ethical behavior
in the Boardroom as a model for all district employees.
· Board members and Superintendents consider and decide all issues fairly
and without bias.
(cf. 2000.1 - Board-Superintendent Relationship)
(cf. 2300 - Statement of Ethics for Administrators)
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9310
Development, Distribution and Maintenance of Manual of Policies, Regulations,
Bylaws
Policy Dissemination
The Superintendent of Schools is directed to preserve and to make accessible the policies adopted by the East Windsor Board of Education and the administrative rules and regulations needed to put them into effect.
All policy manuals distributed to anyone shall remain the property of the East Windsor Board of Education and shall be considered as "on loan" to anyone, or any organization, in whose possession they might be at any time. They are subject to recall at any time deemed necessary by the administrative head of the school district for purposes of updating.
Manual Maintenance/Updating
The Board of Education directs the Superintendent to recall all policy manuals periodically for purposes of administrative updating and Board review.
The Board shall follow through the policies it has formulated. It shall evaluate how the policies have been executed by the school staff, and shall weigh the results. The Board shall rely on the school staff, students, and the community to provide evidence of the effect of the policies which it has adopted.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9312
Formulation, Adoption, Amendment of Bylaws
Proposed new bylaws and suggested amendments to or revision of existing bylaws
may be adopted by a majority vote of all members of the Board of Education.
This will usually occur during the second of two regularly scheduled meetings
of the Board of Education not less that four (4) weeks apart in the calls for
which meeting the proposed additions, amendments, or revisions shall have been
described in writing.
Reference: Robert's Rules of Order
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9313
Formulation, Adoption, Amendment of Administrative Regulations
The Board of Education does not adopt administrative regulations unless specifically
required to do so by law, or unless requested to do so by the Superintendent.
Adoption and amendment of such Board of Education adopted regulations shall
be by the same procedure as that specified for policies in 9311.
The Board of Education reserves the right to review and direct revisions of administrative regulations should they, in the Board of Education's judgment, be inconsistent with the policies adopted by the Board of Education.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9314
Suspension of Policies, Bylaws and Regulations
Policies, bylaws and Board of Education adopted regulations shall be subject
to suspension for a specified purpose and limited time by majority vote of all
members of the Board of Education at a meeting in the call for which the proposed
suspension has been described in writing, or upon a two?thirds vote of all members
of the Board of Education when no such written notice has been given.
Reference: Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
1. Date of Meeting
The organizational meeting shall be the first regular meeting in December. The purpose of the organizational meeting is to elect a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and a Secretary.
2. Temporary Chairperson
In the event that all officers do not return to the Board after local elections are held in November, chairpersonship of the Board will be assumed by the Board member senior in length of service until such time as the organizational meeting is held in December.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
EAST WINDSOR BOARD OF EDUCATION
9321
Regular Meetings and Special Meetings
1. Regular Meetings
a. Place – East Windsor Jr./Sr. High School media center and other public buildings, as appropriate.
b. Day - The first Tuesday of the month. Additional meetings will be called as needed. The Board will schedule meetings in July and August as necessary.
c. Time - 7:30 p.m.
d. Public Invited
(i) Regular Meetings - Regular meetings are open to the public.
(ii) Executive Sessions - All executive sessions will be held pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes 1-200 - 1-231; and 19a-342.
e. Changing Meeting Place - This action may be taken by approval of the majority of the Board contacted personally or by telephone and pursuant to the C.G.S.
f. Canceling of Regular Meetings - This action may be taken by approval of the majority of the Board.
2. Special Meetings
Special meetings shall be called by the Chairperson upon written request of three members, or when deemed necessary by the Chairperson and pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes.
3. Emergency Meetings
Emergency meetings shall be called by the Chairperson.
4. Advance Mailing or Delivery of Meetings Materials
Written notice of all special meetings shall be mailed to all of the members
of the Board at least thirty-six hours prior to the meeting. This condition
may be waived under special circumstances by polling the Board and getting agreement
of a majority of the members.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1-206 Denial of access to public records or meetings.
1-225 Meetings of government agencies to be public.
1-227 Mailing of notice of meetings to persons filing written request.
1-228 Adjournment of meetings. Notice.
1-229 Continued hearings. Notice.
1-230 Regular meetings to be held pursuant to regulation, ordinance or resolution.
10-218 Officers. Meetings
Adopted: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
Revised: January 8, 2002
9321.1
Board of Education Work Sessions
The Board may schedule special meetings for the purpose of conducting work sessions
to provide its members with opportunities for planning and thoughtful discussion.
Topics for discussion and study will be announced publicly. Work sessions will
be conducted in accordance with the state law on public meetings.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1-206 Denial of access to public records or meetings.
1-225 Meetings of government agencies to be public.
1-227 Mailing of notice of meetings to persons filing written request.
1-228 Adjournment of meetings. Notice.
1-229 Continued hearings. Notice.
1-230 Regular meetings to be held pursuant to regulation, ordinance or resolution.
10-218 Officers. Meetings
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9322
Public and Executive Sessions
Public Meetings
All meetings of the Board of Education, regular, special and emergency shall be open to the public with the exception of executive sessions. A chance or social meeting; caucus, or a discussion of strategy or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining are not defined as “meetings” under the Freedom of Information Act.
Executive Sessions
The public may be excluded from meetings of the Board of Education which are declared to be executive sessions. Executive sessions may be held upon a two?thirds vote of the members present and voting taken at a public meeting for only one or more of the following reasons, and may not be held for any other reason:
1. Discussion concerning the appointment, employment, performance, evaluation, health or dismissal of a public officer or employee, provided that such individual may require that discussion be held at an open meeting.
2. Strategy and negotiations with respect to pending claims and litigation.
3. Matters concerning security strategy or the deployment of security personnel, or devices affecting public security.
4. Discussion of the selection of a site or the lease, sale or purchase of real estate by a political subdivision of the state when publicity regarding such site, lease, sale, purchase or construction would cause a likelihood of increased price until such time as all of the property has been acquired or all proceedings or transactions concerning same have been terminated or abandoned.
5. Discussion of any matter which would result in the disclosure of public records or the information contained therein described in Subsection (b) of Section 1-210 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
(cf. 9320 - Meetings)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1-200 Definitions. (as amended by PA 02-130)
1-206 Denial of access to public records or meetings.
Legal Reference: (continued)
1-210 Access to public records.
1-225 Meetings of government agencies to be public.
1-226 Recording, broadcasting or photographing meetings.
1-231 Executive sessions.
19a-342 Smoking prohibited in certain places.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bylaw revised: January 7, 2003 East Windsor, Connecticut
9323
Construction of the Agenda
The Superintendent in cooperation with the Chairperson of the Board of Education
shall prepare an agenda for each regular meeting. Any member of the Board of
Education may call the Superintendent and request any item to be placed on the
agenda no later than 72 hours prior to the legally required public posting of
the agenda.
Posting of the Agenda
At least 24 hours prior to the time of the regular meeting, the agenda shall be posted in the Board room of the district and in each school in a place readily available to parents, teachers and the general public, and shall be filed in the Superintendent's office.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1-225 Meetings of government agencies to be public
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9324
Advance Delivery of Meeting Materials
The Board meeting materials shall be disseminated as follows:
1. The complete Board of Education agenda and the appropriate materials pertaining thereto shall be sent to each Board member, Board clerk, and student representatives.
The agenda will be available to the public at the administration building after 3:00 P.M. on Tuesday preceding each regular Board of Education meeting. An agenda will also be available to each member of the press on Tuesday afternoons after 3:00 p.m.
2. Two copies of the agenda shall be sent to each building principal, one copy of which is to be posted upon the bulletin board in each school office.
3. Copies of the agenda shall be forwarded through school mail to presidents of each bargaining unit and presidents of PTA/PTO organizations, Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen.
(cf. 9323 - Construction/Posting of Agenda)
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Revised: March 31, 2003 East Windsor, Connecticut
Meetings of the Board of Education shall be conducted by the Chairperson of
the Board of Education in a manner consistent with the adopted Bylaws of the
Board.
All Board meetings shall commence at the stated time or as soon thereafter as a quorum is present and shall be guided by an Agenda which will have been prepared and delivered in advance to all Board Members and other designated persons.
The meetings shall, to the fullest possible extent, enable Members to conduct the business of the Board in an orderly, expeditious manner.
Provisions for permitting any individual or group to address the Board concerning any subject that lies within its jurisdiction shall be as follows:
1. A 3 minute time limit may be allowed to each speaker with a maximum of 20 minutes per meeting being allocated for any one item of the Agenda.
2. The Chairperson shall not permit actions which disrupt or interrupt the orderly conduct of the Board meeting. A willful participant in such conduct will be asked to leave the meeting of the Board. In case of a general disturbance the meeting room may be cleared except for non-participating representatives of the press.
3. The Board may, by a majority vote, decide to cancel or extend the 20 minutes allotted per item of the Agenda.
4. Questions which can be answered during the meeting may be answered at the option of the Board. Other inquiries which may require analysis/investigation will, at the option of the Board, be answered at a future specified date.
5. No speaker making an oral presentation shall include charges or complaints of a personal nature against any individual Board member or individual employee of the Board of Education, whether named or not. All such charges or complaints concerning individual Board members or the Superintendent should be sent to the Chairperson of the Board and to such other Members as deemed appropriate. All such charges or complaints concerning individual employees of the Board should be sent to the immediate superior of the person to whom the complaint relates. If a satisfactory answer is not received, then a written appeal may be filed with the next higher authority.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
Quorum
A majority of the whole Board shall be necessary to comprise a quorum for the transaction of business at all Board meetings.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
1. Time Opening of Meeting.
2. Attendance Names of Attendees and Absentees.
3. Added Agenda Items Business other than on the distributed meeting agenda
will be considered only with the approval of a majority of the members present.
Should a formal vote be required on an Added Agenda Item, such action shall
be delayed until the next regular meeting upon the request of at least two (2)
Board members.
Any Board member absent when an Added Agenda Item is voted upon has the right
to recall such item to the agenda of the next regular Board meeting.
4. Previous Minutes Board Action.
5. Public Participation Brief statement of subject - name of group or individual.
6. Communications Subject - Board Action, if any
7. Superintendent’s Report Financial - Subject - Board Action
Personnel - Subject - Board Action
Information - Subject - Board Action
8. Unfinished Business Subject - Board Action
9. New Business Subject - Board Action
10. Miscellaneous Discussion of any other items not listed on the agenda that
may properly come before the Board.
Items that are brought before the Board can only be discussed. No formal action
can be taken on such items until they appear on a subsequent agenda for a Board
meeting.
There is no requirement that the Board discuss miscellaneous items at every
meeting. The Board, by majority vote of the membership present, may vote not
to have a discussion of miscellaneous items.
11. Executive Session Time in and out - Attendees
12. Adjournment Time
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
To make more efficient use of meeting time, the Board of Education authorizes the use of a consent agenda as part of its regular meeting agenda. The consent agenda will condense the routine business of the Board (e.g., approving Board minutes, reviewing monthly expenses) into either a single motion or several categorical motions.
The consent agenda will be prepared by the Superintendent of Schools in consultation with the Chairperson of the Board.
Items on a consent agenda will not be discussed prior to action. However, if any Board member believes that any item on the consent agenda requires discussion, that Board member may remove the item from the consent agenda merely by requesting same. The exempted item then moves to the regular agenda, and the Board may take action as it deems appropriate. All non-exempted items will be moved, seconded, and voted upon either in one motion or in several categorical motions without discussion.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
The votes of each member of the Board upon any issue before any regular, special
or executive session meeting of the Board shall be reduced to writing and made
available for public inspection within 48 hours, (excluding any Saturday, Sunday
or legal holiday for votes or minutes of special and emergency special meetings)
and shall be recorded in the Minutes of the session at which taken, which Minutes
shall be available for public inspection at all reasonable times.
Minutes
The Secretary of the Board of Education shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Board. Copies of the proceeding shall be made for distribution to the Board members with the agenda for the next regular meeting. The official minutes of the Board of Education meetings and the master copy of the policy manual shall be kept in the central office. Minutes shall be made available to the public for inspection within seven days after each meeting. The votes or minutes of a special meeting or any emergency special meeting shall be made available to the public for inspection within seven days after each such meeting, excluding any Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1-225 (formerly 1-21) Meetings of government agencies to be public. Recording of votes. Schedule and agenda of meetings to be filed. Notice of special meetings. Executive sessions. (as amended by P.A. 99-71: An Act Clarifying Certain Time Periods in the Freedom of Information Act Eliminating Outdated and Unnecessary Freedom of Information Provisions.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
1. Content
The official minutes of the Board of Education shall consist solely of the record of action as kept by the Recording Secretary and as approved by the Board of Education.
Remarks made by members of the Board of Education and/or the Superintendent of Schools, designed to explain a position shall be placed in the Exhibit File only on specific request for inclusion of an actual statement.
2. Motions
All motions presented will state name of originator and second. Motions will also state the breakdown of the vote by name(s) except when a motion is passed unanimously. The minutes will indicate whether or not discussion was held.
3. Proposals and Recommendations
Proposals and recommendations of the Superintendent shall be included in the minutes
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
Exhibit File
An exhibit file will be established to contain documents, letters, reports or other written material related to Board of Education meetings and deemed by the Board to be important in interpreting the written minutes of each meeting. A folder for each calendar year will be used to contain these papers, and each exhibit will be numbered consecutively for each calendar year. (Ex: Exhibit File 99?1, 99?2, etc.) An exhibit number will also be placed next to the section of the minutes related to the particular exhibit item.
The material contained in this Exhibit File shall be considered a part of the Board of Education minutes.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9330
Board/School District Records
Any recorded data or information relating to the conduct of the public's business
prepared, owned, used, received or retained by the Board of Education or the
school district, whether handwritten, typed, tape?recorded, printed, photostated,
photographed, or recorded by any other method is by definition a "public
record" and access thereto during normal hours of business shall be granted
to any citizen. All such records shall be maintained at the office of the Superintendent
of Schools, who shall be the custodian of all public records of the district.
Not included in the category of public records to which the privilege of access is given are the following:
1. Preliminary drafts or notes provided the custodian or the Board of Education has determined that the public interest in withholding such documents clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
2. Personnel or medical files and similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute an invasion of personal privacy.
3. Records pertaining to strategy and negotiations with respect to pending claims and litigation to which the district is a party until such litigation or claim has been adjudicated or otherwise settled.
4. Trade secrets.
5. Test questions, scoring keys and other examination data used to administer a licensing examination, examination for employment or academic examinations.
6. The contests of real estate appraisals, engineering or feasibility estimates and evaluation made for or by the district relative to the acquisition of property or to prospective public supply and construction contracts, until such time as all of the property has been acquired or all proceedings or transactions have been terminated (except that the law of public domain is not affected by this provision).
7. Records, reports and statements of strategy or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining.
8. Records, tax returns, reports and statements exempted by federal law or state statutes or communications privileged by the attorney?client relationship.
9. Names or addresses of students enrolled in the public schools without the consent of each student whose name or address is to be disclosed who is eighteen or older and a parent or guardian of such minor student.
10. Records including engineering and architectural drawings; security systems’ operational specifications (except a general description, cost and quality of the system); training manuals that describe security procedures, emergency plans or security equipment; internal security audits; and logs and other documents containing information on security personnel movement or assignments if reasonable grounds exist to believe their release would pose a safety risk, including harm to anyone, a facility or equipment.
11. Security manuals, emergency plans, emergency recovery or response plans and staff meeting minutes or records or portions of them that contain or reveal security information or otherwise exempt records.
Availability of Records
Any person shall receive, within reasonable time and not to exceed four business days, on request, a plain or certified copy of any public record except those which access is not permitted under law, at a cost not to exceed fifty cents per page. If any copy requested required a printout or transcription, or if any person applies for a printout or transcription of a public record, the fee shall not exceed the cost to the school district. The district will require prepayment of the fee if the fee is estimated to be two dollars or more. There will be no sales tax for this service. There will be no charge if the person requesting the record is an indigent, the record requested is exempt from disclosure, or if, in the judgment of the custodian of records, compliance with the request benefits the general welfare.
An additional charge of one dollar for the first page and fifty cents for each additional page may be made for certification of any records or of any fact within the record.
The Superintendent, on behalf of the Board of Education, shall notify an employee in writing when a request is made for disclosure of the employee's personnel, medical or similar files, if the Superintendent reasonably believes disclosure would invade the employee's privacy.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1-15 Application for copies of public records.
1-200 Definitions.
1-210 to 1-213 Access to public records. (as amended by PA 02-133)
1-211 Access to computer stored records.
1-214 Public contracts as part of public records.
1-225 to 1?240 Meetings of public agencies.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bylaw revised: January 7, 2003 East Windsor, Connecticut
9400
Monitoring Products and Processes
Self-Evaluation
The East Windsor Board of Education is made up of duly elected individuals to oversee the Public Schools of the community. This very responsible and complex job requires that the Board blend its diverse opinion into a common purpose which will give direction to the school system. The local community looks to its Board of Education to provide leadership for the school system. The success of the system depends on how well that role is carried out.
Therefore, it shall be the policy of the East Windsor Board of Education that there shall be an annual program of self evaluation in which each member shall participate.
Annually at its organizational meeting in December, the Board will schedule dates to conduct its self?evaluation. The evaluation will include, but not be limited to, the following leadership areas: community leadership of education, influencing educational policy, community involvement, communicating with the public, the decision making process, planning and setting goals, allocating resources, developing Board policy, policy oversight, selecting and evaluating the Superintendent, working with the Superintendent, promoting good employee relations, setting expectations for Board member conduct, conducting the work of the Board, Board member development.
The Board may, at times, request consultant assistance in carrying out the evaluation of the Board.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9410
Public Announcement of Accomplishments
The Board shall keep the public informed of the school system’s progress
in accomplishing its goals and priorities, including programs established to
achieve them. The Superintendent shall maintain a communication program for
this purpose, which shall include, but not be limited to, public meetings, publications
in local newspapers and school newsletters, PTA meetings, and other appropriate
methods.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut
9420
Recognition of Accomplishments by Citizens, Students, Staff Members of Members
of Board
Recognition for Accomplishment
The Board is committed to recognizing and reinforcing the positive efforts and performance of individuals involved in the school system. The Superintendent shall develop procedures to honor the distinguished or exceptional achievements of citizens, students, and staff. This should also include retiring staff who have contributed to the school system over an extended period of time. This may be done by recognition at Board meetings, letters of recognition, or other appropriate methods.
Bylaw adopted by the Board: March 21, 2000 EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
East Windsor, Connecticut