Board of Education

School Board Elections

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the deadline for filing nominating petitions for prospective Gibraltar School District Board of Education candidates during the November 2010 annual election is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10, 2010.

The Board is comprised of seven members, each elected at large from the district to a four-year term of office. The terms are arranged so that two positions are elected each year with the exception of the fourth year when only one member is elected. 

Responsibilities

No one person on the Board or group of persons acts in the name of the Board.  When an item comes before the Board in the form of a motion, it is necessary that a majority vote be in favor of the motion in order for the Board to take action.  All Board members must vote on each motion.

The areas of Board action include:

1. Drafting policies for the operation of the schools.
2. Employing a superintendent of schools.
3. Authorizing the appointment of recommended teachers and administrators.
4. Determining education standards and goals.
5. Approving the curriculum as studied, developed and recommended by staff.
6. Securing funds for school operational needs, building programs, and authorizing expenditures.
7. Expressing and representing the views of the community in matters affecting education.
8. Interpreting the educational programs and needs of the community.

Consultants from the staff and members of the community often aid the Board in performing these duties.

Types of Meetings

Organizational Meeting occurs within the first ten days of July.  This meeting is for organizational purposes such as the election of officers, setting meeting dates, naming of depositories for funds, etc.

Regular Meetings are held once each month to conduct normal Board business.   In general, the Board meets on the second Wednesday each month. All meetings are held in public.

Special Meetings are public and can be called for any purpose between regular meetings.  Meetings must be posted for 18 hours.

Executive Sessions are provided for by law when the Board is discussing personnel and student discipline, negotiations, purchase of property, etc.  These meetings are attended by the Board, Superintendent, and anyone involved with the issue under discussion.  No action may be taken in an executive session.

Information/Work/Study Sessions are discussion sessions without the usual meeting formalities.  Typically, no action is taken in these meetings, and all meetings are public.

Board Meetings

The Board of Education is the legislative body of the school district.  Their meetings are held in public, but not as a public forum for open debate.  However, this Board believes strongly in rights of citizens to be heard. You may be heard in the following ways:

1. The President of the Board will inquire at the appropriate time (under Public Comments) if anyone in the audience wishes to bring something to the Board's attention.
2. Citizens may request time to speak by telephone or in writing to an agenda item.
3. Citizens may write a letter to the Board, addressing it to the President or Superintendent.  Such letters are copied and given to the Board members.
4. Questions will be heard by either building or central office administrators any day of the work week.