BBAGOVERNING BOARD POWERS
AND RESPONSIBILITIES
BBAThe Governing Board shall act as the general agent of the state of Arizona in carrying out the will of the people of this District in the matter of public education.
The Governing Board is authorized under the laws of the state of Arizona to adopt all needed policies for the organization, evaluation, and governance in the District.
The Governing Board performs or delegates the following basic functions necessary to the discharging of its responsibilities: legislative, executive, and appraisal:
A. The legislative function is the policy-making aspect of the school system. It is the policy of the Governing Board to retain and exercise full legislative authority and control over the schools by adopting general policies or by acting directly in matters not covered by its policies.
B. The executive function of the Governing Board is concerned with placing in operation existing Governing Board policy. Most of this function is delegated by the Governing Board to its executive and administrative officer, the Superintendent.
C. The appraisal function involves an evaluation of the educational programs of the District based on measurable student outcomes and the policies as outlined in the policy manual.
The duties and obligations of an individual Board member include the following:
A. To become familiar with the state's school laws, regulations of the State Department of Education, and District policies, rules, and regulations.
B. To participate in developing the educational aims and objectives of the system.
C. To work harmoniously with other Governing Board members without neglecting a proper share of the work or trying to dominate the Governing Board.
D. To vote and act in Governing Board meetings impartially in the best interest of students.
E. To accept the will of the majority vote in all cases, and give wholehearted support to the resulting policy or action.
F. To accept the responsibility for confidentiality in appropriate matters, especially those dealing with personnel and the divulging of privileged information.
G. To represent the Governing Board and the District to the public in a manner that is honest and transparent.
H. To refer complaints to the proper school authorities and to refrain from individual counsel and action.
I. To perform other appropriate duties that may arise.
he Governing Board shall always adhere to the following roles and responsibilities:
A. Mission, Vision, and Values: The Governing Board approves the District’s mission, long term vision, and core values as the community’s representatives.
B. Measurable Goals. The Governing Board defines measurable goals (long-term and annual) for what the District is expected to achieve, on behalf of students, parents, and the community. The Governing Board’s measurable goals are inclusive of desired student outcomes with a focus on college and career readiness, equity in access to educational opportunities for historically marginalized groups, closure of achievement gaps for historically marginalized groups, and financial and operational performance of the District. The primary use of time in every Governing Board meeting is spent monitoring progress to the measurable goals, based on the most recent progress data available.
C. Superintendent Accountability. The Governing Board hires a Superintendent, approves their strategic plan, and evaluates the Superintendent’s performance in meeting the Governing Board’s measurable goals. The Governing Board is responsible for the Superintendent’s professional development, retaining a Superintendent who is meeting the Governing Board's measurable goals, and terminating a Superintendent who fails to meet the Governing Board’s measurable goals.
D. Resource Allocation. The Governing Board approves the allocation of financial resources and capital plans needed to accomplish the District’s strategic plan and the Governing Board’s measurable goals.
E. Policymaking. The Governing Board establishes policies that align with and enhance conditions for the achievement of the Governing Board's measurable goals. Governing Board policies also define standards and expectations for Governing Board, staff, and student conduct throughout the District.
F. Community Representation. In making decision, the Governing Board considers the interests, engages with, and solicits input from all the District’s constituencies – especially constituents who have been historically marginalized – including students, parents, and the community in which the District operates.
G. Transparency. The Governing Board ensures the public has easy access to clear, accurate and timely information regarding the Governing Board’s decision and the key activities of the District.
Individual Governing Board members do not have authority to act alone and may only represent the will of the Governing Board as a whole, as expressed by the action of a majority of members.
The Superintendent maintains broad authority to do what is necessary to achieve the Governing Board’s measurable goals while remaining compliant with all Governing Board policies.
The Governing Board or individual Governing Board members shall not give direction or instructions to persons who report directly or indirectly to the Superintendent.
The Governing Board shall not engage in any activities outside of the roles and responsibilities outlined in this policy.
Per Policy BAA, the Governing Board shall conduct an annual self-evaluation to determine how effectively and consistently it is following the governing principals in this policy.
Adopted: May 17, 2023
LEGAL REF.:
A.R.S.
15-321
15-341
15-342
A.G.O.
I81-054
CROSS REF.:
KI - Visitors to Schools