1001

General Policy Statement 

The organization, management, and control of this school district is vested in its board of education ("board"). To guide the board and school district operations, and to assist it and its designees in carrying out duties, the board will establish, maintain, and amend a set of policies.

Written board policies serve the following purposes:

1. Formally articulating the board's goals and long-term objectives.

2.Providing district administrators and staff with guidance in making decisions that affect students, employees and patrons of the
district.

3. Informing the public of the manner that the board and district will conduct its business and its relationships with staff, pupils, parents and patrons.  

To avoid unnecessary rigidity, these policies are stated in general terms. With the exception of statutory requirements or instances when the specific application of a policy is essential to the long-term welfare of the district, these policies are intended to provide administrators with the flexibility to apply them to a wide range of situations.

  The policies are not the only guidelines for district operations. Specific regulations, procedures, and practices also help guide and govern actions and decisions. They must be consistent with policies, but serve a different purpose.

 

                                                                          Exceptional Circumstances

The board cannot foresee every situation that may arise, and circumstances will occur when these policies provide inadequate guidance. In such circumstances, the superintendent should use his or her best judgment, and communicate with the board about the situation as soon as is convenient.

                                                                                    Validity of Policies

Each policy and its provision should be interpreted so that it is valid under applicable law. If a court determines that a provision of a policy is invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of that policy.

Adopted on: Aug 9, 2004

 

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1002

Creation and Amendment of Board of Education Policies

 

                                                                             Creation of Board Policies

  Each of these policies shall become the official policy of the school district when the board has approved it by majority vote of the members present at any lawfully convened meeting of the board.

 

                                                                         Amendment of Board Policies

  The board may revise policies at a regular or special meeting if the proposed revision, addition to or amendment has been distributed to the board members in writing prior to the meeting at which it is to be adopted.

  In an emergency, the board may declare an emergency and revise policies without having distributed copies of the proposed revisions to board member prior to the meeting.

  Each policy shall bear the date when it was adopted, revised or reviewed.

  The superintendent shall distribute copies of these policies to all members of the board, maintain a master copy in the central office, and see to it that the policies are maintained on the school district's web site.

                                                                                     Annual Review

The board shall review all policies at least once every three years beginning with the 2004-2005 school year. Nebraska statutes require an annual review of specific policies, and such policies shall be so identified. The board may update or add policies as-needed. The board shall determine the number of copies of policies to be made and their distribution. The superintendent shall maintain an up-to-date master copy of the policies in the main administrative office. Unless otherwise directed by the board, the master copy shall be considered the official district policy manual.

Adopted on: __August 9, 2004

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1003

Mission Statement

  Oakland-Craig Public Schools are committed to empowering students to become successful life-long learners and responsible community members.

Adopted on: ____August 9, 2004___________________

   

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1004

Distribution of Policies

  The superintendent shall see to the posting of a current copy of these policies on the district's web site and to the maintenance of a master copy of the policy manual in the main administrative office. Other copies will be made available as needed throughout the district.

  The board and the district's officers and employees shall make other information about the school district and its schools, programs, policies and procedures available to all interested persons, as appropriate.

Adopted on: __August 9, 2004_____________

 

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  The board of education (board) is charged by the Legislature with the duty of providing public elementary and secondary education to the citizens of the district. The Legislature has also created the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education and has delegated certain regulatory and advisory functions to them. The board is responsible to these agencies as specified by law.

  The board's primary duties are: (1) to establish a mission, goals, and policies; (2) to establish and maintain school facilities; (3) to select a superintendent; (4) to adopt a fiscally responsible budget; and (5) to evaluate programs.

1.                 Establishment of Mission, Goals and Policies

  The board shall concern itself with broad questions of mission, goals and policy, rather than administrative details. The application of policies is an administrative task to be performed by the superintendent of schools and his or her administrative staff, who shall be held responsible for the effective administration and supervision of the entire school district.

2.                 Establishment and Maintenance of School Facilities and Other Resources

  The board is the legal agency through which the community works to provide the physical facilities, curriculum, instructional supplies and staff to enable the district's mission and objectives to be carried out. The board will establish and maintain school facilities necessary to educate the students of the district.

3.                 Selection of the Superintendent of Schools

  The board will employ a superintendent of schools as the chief executive to whom it will delegate, through policy statements and procedures for accountability, the administration of the school program. As the chief administrator for the board, the superintendent will implement board policies and supervise the day-to-day operation of the school system. The superintendent will keep the board informed of the implementation of the plans and policies, and will recommend changes to policies as necessary. The superintendent will furnish educational leadership to the board, the school staff, and the community.

4.                 Fiscally Responsible Budget

  The board will annually adopt a fiscally responsible budget that will permit the district to accomplish its goals and objectives. The management of the financial program and the development of the proposed budget for the district is delegated to the superintendent.

  The board will work for adequate and dependable financial support of the public schools, promotion of effective and efficient organization, and administration of the district.  

5.                 Evaluation of Program

  The board will evaluate, or cause to be evaluated, the progress and results of the educational program on a continuous basis. In making these evaluations, the board will seek and give appropriate weight to the superintendent's analysis and recommendations.  

Adopted on: _August 9, 2004______

 

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                                                                                            2002

                                                                             Organization of the Board

  1. Membership, Term and Election
       a. The Board of Education shall be comprised of nine members who will be elected at large.
       b. Those who wish to serve on the board shall file, be nominated and elected, and serve terms of office on the board according to law.
  2. Internal Organization
      a. President
          i. At the regular January meeting, the board shall elect from among its members a president who shall serve in that capacity for one year.
          ii. The president shall preside at all board meetings, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law or by action of the board.
      b. Vice President
           i. At the regular January meeting, the board shall elect from among its members a vice president who shall serve in that capacity for one year.
           ii. The vice president shall preside in the absence of the president, and shall perform such other duties as are assigned by the board.
      c. Secretary
          i. The secretary for the district shall be appointed by the Board of Education at a salary set at the time of the appointment
           ii. The secretary shall be clerk of the district board and of all district meetings when present, but if he/she shall not be present, the qualified voters may appoint a clerk for the time being, who shall certify the proceedings to the clerk to be recorded by him/her.
           iii. The secretary shall (1) record all proceedings of the district in a book furnished by the district to be kept for that purpose (2) preserve copies of all reports made to the county, (3) safely preserve and keep all papers belonging to his/her office.
      d. Treasurer
           i. A treasurer will be designated by the board on a year-to-year basis.
           ii. The secretary/treasurer will sign checks and certain other documents. The treasurer is the custodian of the monies of the district.
           iii. The treasurer shall give bond as prescribed by law with the cost of the bond being paid by the district.
           iv. The treasurer shall issue no payment of claim against the district until such claim has been duly authorized by the board and has been duly countersigned by the president.
           v. The vice president may sign any check in the absence of either the president or the secretary/treasurer.
      e. Committees
          i. The board shall authorize such special committees as it deems necessary. The board president shall appoint members to the committee, and designate its function, tasks it is to perform, and a completion date for its work.
           ii. On or before the beginning of each school year, the board shall appoint three members to form a Committee on Americanism. The committee’s duties shall be those prescribed by section 79-724 of the Nebraska statutes.
  3. Vacancies.
       a. A vacancy on the board of education shall exist when any one of the follows occurs:
            i. A member submits his or her formal resignation from the board.
            ii. A member removes himself or herself from the district or is absent from the district for a continuous period of sixty days.
            iii A member misses more than two consecutive meetings unless excused by a majority of the remaining members, shall, as provided by law, vacate the position.
       b. Any vacancy of the board resulting from any cause other than that of the expiration of a term shall be filled according to the procedures dictated by Nebraska law.

Adopted on: ___June 9, 2008____________

   

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                                                                                            2003

                                                         Development and Education of Board Members

1.     New Board Member Orientation

a.     All new board members are strongly encouraged to attend the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) workshop for board members unless excused by the remaining members of the board.

b.     Sitting board members and the superintendent will assist each new member-elect to understand the board=s functions, policies and procedures before he or she takes office.

2.     Ongoing Development and Education

a.     Board members provide the most effective service to the district when they are continuously updated on educational and legal issues. Attendance at meetings directly or indirectly related to education or school matters is encouraged for the value they have to the school system and the professional growth of board members.

b.     Board members are encouraged to engage in continuing education such as:

i.        Participation in local, regional and state conferences and workshops such as meetings of the NASB, the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA), and the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA).

ii.      Participation in legislative sessions and related activities. 

iii.    Participation in national conventions such as the National School Boards Association (NSBA) and/or the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) on a rotating basis among the members.

iv.    Examination of other school facilities and their programs. 

c.     The superintendent shall notify board members of all relevant conferences and workshops. 

i.        Other local and regional meetings and/or in-service activities.

3.     Reimbursement for Education and Development

Adopted on: ____August 9, 2004___________

 

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2004

Oath of office

All new board members shall take the following oath before entering into their official duties:

 

I, ......................, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely and without mental reservation or for purpose of evasion; and that I will faithfully and impartially perform the duties of the office of member of the board of education, according to law, and to the best of my ability. And I do further swear that I do not advocate, nor am I a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or of this state by force or violence; and that during such time as I am in this position I will not advocate nor become a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or of this state by force or violence. So help me God.

 

Board members shall affirm this oath orally, and shall sign it in written form. Copies of these documents shall be retained as official records of the school district in the main administrative office and such other places as may be required by law.

Adopted on: __August 9, 2004_____________

Any member of the board of education who meets the conditions set forth in this policy shall be deemed as having a business or financial conflict of interest and should file a conflict of interest disclosure with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission (NADC).

1.     General Rule

i.        No board member or member of his or her immediate family shall enter into a contract valued at two thousand dollars or more, in any one year, with this school district unless the contract is awarded through an open and public process that includes prior public notice and subsequent availability for public inspection during the regular office hours of the school district.

2.     Effect of Conflicts

a.     The existence of any conflict of interest in any contract, or the failure to make public the board member's interest, may render a contract null and void.

b.     This prohibition of conflict of interest or requirement for the board member to make public notice shall apply when the board member, or his or her immediate family (parent, spouse, or child), has a business association with the school district or will receive a fee or commission as a result of the contract.

3.     Definitions

a.     Business with which a board member is associated shall include the following:

i.        A business in which the board member or a member of his or her immediate family is a partner, a limited liability company, or serves as a director or an officer. 

ii.      A business in which the board member or a member of his or her immediate family is a stockholder in a closed corporation with stock worth one thousand dollars or more, or he or she, or his or her immediate family owns more than a five percent equity interest or is a stockholder of publicly traded stock worth more than ten thousand dollars or more at fair market value, or which represents more than ten percent equity interest. This shall not apply to publicly traded stock under a trading account if the board member reports the name and address of the company and stockbroker.

b.     A business association shall be defined to include an individual as a partner, limited liability company member, director or officer, or a business in which the individual or member of the immediate family is a stockholder.

4.     Employing Board Members

a.     No member of the board shall be employed as a teacher in this school district.

b.     No member of the board shall be employed in any capacity by this school district.

5.     Employing Members of the Immediate Family

a.     If a person in a board member's immediate family is an employee of this school district, the board member may vote on all issues of a contract which are generally applicable to:

i.        All district employees.

ii.      All employees within a specific classification but which does not single out the member of his or her immediate family.

b.     A board member may recommend for employment or supervise the employment of an immediate family member if:

i.        The board member does not abuse his or her position.

(1)  Abuse of official position shall include, but not be limited to, employing an immediate family member:

(a)  who is not qualified for and able to perform the duties of the position;

(b)  for any unreasonably high salary;

(c)  who is not required to perform the duties of the position.

ii.      The board makes a reasonable solicitation and consideration of applications for employment.

iii.    The board member makes a full disclosure on the record to the governing body of the school district and to the secretary of the board.

(1)  If the secretary of the board of education would be the individual filing the disclosure statement, the statement shall be filed with the president of the board of education.

iv.    The board approves the employment or supervisory position.

c.     The board shall not employ an immediate family member without first having made a reasonable solicitation and consideration of applications for such employment.

d.     The board has not terminated the employment of another employee so as to make funds or a position available for the purpose of hiring an immediate family member.

6.     Gifts, Loans, Contributions, Rewards, or Promises of Future Employment

a.     No board member shall offer or give to the following persons anything of value, including a gift, loan, contribution, reward, or promise of future employment, based upon an agreement that a vote, official action, or judgment would be influenced thereby:

i.        a public official, public employee, or candidate.

ii.      a member of the immediate family of an individual listed in Subparagraph 'A' above.

iii.    a business with which an individual listed in Subparagraph 'A' or 'B' above is associated.

b.     No board member shall solicit or accept anything of value, including a gift, loan, contribution, reward, or promise of future employment based on an agreement that the vote, official action, or judgment of the board member would thereby be influenced.

c.     A board member shall not use or authorize the use of compensation for financial gain of the board member, a member of his or her immediate family, or a business with which he or she is associated, other than as provided by law,

i.        that person's public office or any confidential information received through the holding of the public office.

ii.      personal resources, property, or funds under that person's official care and control other than in accordance with prescribed constitutional, statutory, and regulatory procedures.

7.     Conflict of Interest Relating to Campaigning or Political Issues

a.     Except as provided below, the board shall not authorize the use of personnel, property, resources, or funds under its jurisdiction for the purpose of campaigning for or against the nomination or election of a candidate or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a ballot question.

b.     This does not prohibit the board from making school district facilities available to a person for campaign purposes if the identity of the candidate or the support for or opposition to the ballot question is not a factor in making the facilities available or a factor in determining the cost or conditions for use.

c.     This does not prohibit the board from discussing and voting upon a resolution supporting or opposing a ballot question.

d.     This does not prohibit the board, while legally seated as a body, from responding to specific inquiries by the press or the public as to the board's opinion regarding a ballot question or from providing information in response to a request for information.

i.        The board may designate one or more members of its body, or one or more of its school administrators, to speak on behalf of the board on specific occasions such as public meetings or legislative hearings.

ii.      Any member of the board may present his or her personal opinion regarding a ballot question or respond to a request for information related to a ballot question, but in so doing the person should clearly state that the information being presented is his or her personal opinion and is not to be considered as the official position or opinion of the board. However, this shall not be done during a time that the individual is engaged in his or her official duties.

8.Conflict of Interest Statement

a. If a board member has a potential conflict of interest, he or she is required to take the following action as soon as he or she is aware of such potential conflict or should be aware of such potential conflict:

i. Prepare a written statement describing the matter requiring action or decision and the nature of the potential interest. (Use NADC Form C-2)

ii. Deliver a copy of the statement to the NADC and to the secretary of the board of education.

(1)  The secretary of the board shall enter the statement into the school board minutes.

iii. The board member shall take such action as the NADC shall prescribe to remove himself or herself from influence over the matter.

b. The actions set forth in Paragraphs I, II, and III above shall not prevent a board member from making or participation in the making of a governmental decision to the extent that his or her participation is legally required for the action or decision to be made. A board member acting pursuant to this section shall report the occurrence to the NADC.

9.Recordkeeping

a. The board secretary shall maintain a separate record of the following information:

i.        The names of the contracting parties.

ii.      The nature of the interest of the board member in question.

iii.    The date that the contract was approved.

iv.    The amount of the contract.

v.      The basic terms of the contract.

b.