COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FOR SCHOOLS

Leadership guide for Kentucky school board members

School board members represent the very best of American democracy and its tradition of volunteerism.  Your local community has elected you to oversee the education of its most precious resource: children.   Along with that comes another responsibility: the stewardship of the tax dollars that make education possible.

The purpose of this on-line manual is to provide board members with a resource to assist in making decisions that will provide the very best opportunities for students to learn and develop.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview:  the structure of education in Kentucky

[Basis for public education, state and federal role, legislature, governor, courts]

Chapter 1 The local board of education

[Duties, policy making, qualifications, removal from office, training, conflicts, liability]

Chapter 2 The superintendent

[Selection, removal, functions, evaluation, policy making vs. administration]

Chapter 3 The school council

[Establishment, committees, responsibilities, the board's role, allocation of resources]

Chapter 4 The school board meeting

[Regular/special/emergency, open meetings, attendance, agenda, voting, minutes]

Chapter 5 Board policy making

[Development of the board's management tool]

Chapter 6 Planning

[Projects programs, long-range/strategic, consolidating, operational, site-based]

Chapter 7 School / Community / Media relations

[Board meetings, personal contacts, publications, community forums, news media relations]

Chapter 8 Advocacy

[Lay control, state board, legislature, community, lobbying tips]

Chapter 9 Board evaluations

[Internal, external and resources]

Chapter 10 School personnel

[Nepotism,, vacancies, employment/termination process, board review of processes]

Chapter 11 Fiscal management

[Budget development/timeline, MUNIS, monthly reports, purchasing and inventory, investments, bidding, audits, travel expenses, credit cards, insurance]

Chapter 12 Facilities

[Planning, architectural services, bids and contracts, state funding, board construction responsibilities]

Chapter 13 Pupil transportation

[Legal, board responsibilities]

Chapter 14 Food services

[Funding, setting the price of meals, responsibilities]

Chapter 15 Risk management

[Risk exposures in education, board responsibilities]

Chapter 16 Curriculum and instruction

[Goals, objectives - local/state, planning appropriate programs, school council reporting]

Chapter 17 KERA strands

[Family resource centers, primary / preschool programs, extended school services]

Chapter 18 Special education

[Requirements of IDEA, implications for school boards, funding, mentors]

Chapter 19 Student achievement

[Academic expectations, comprehensive improvement plans, No Child Left Behind, ASAP for School Boards]

Chapter 20  Student assessment

[Measurements, consequences for schools in assistance, expected growth levels, testing]

Chapter 21 Discipline and safety

[Local discipline code, responsibility of superintendent/school council, expulsion]

Glossary

© 2004 Kentucky School Boards Association.

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