Board Member Development
The School Board desires that its individual members learn, understand, and practice effective governance principles. The Board is responsible for Board member orientation and development. Board members have an equal opportunity to attend State and national meetings designed to familiarize members with public school issues, governance, and legislation.
The Board President and/or Superintendent shall provide all Board members with information regarding pertinent education materials, publications, and notices of training or development.
Mandatory Board Member Training
Each Board member is responsible for his or her own compliance with the mandatory training laws that are described below:
Each Board member elected or appointed to fill a vacancy of at least one year’s duration must complete at least four hours of professional development and leadership training in: (1) education and labor law; (2) financial oversight and accountability; (3) fiduciary responsibilities; (4) trauma-informed practices for students and staff; and (5) improving student outcomes, within the first year of his or her first term.
Each Board member must complete training on the Open Meetings Act (OMA) no later than 90 days after taking the oath of office for the first time. After completing the training, each Board member must file a copy of the certificate of completion with the Board. Training on OMA is only required once.
Each Board member must complete a training program on evaluations under the Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) before participating in a vote on a tenured teacher’s dismissal using the optional alternative evaluation dismissal process. This dismissal process is available after the District’s PERA implementation date.
The Superintendent or designee shall maintain on the District website a log identifying the complete training and development activities of each Board member, including both mandatory and non-mandatory training.
Professional Development; Adverse Consequences of School Exclusion; Student Behavior
The Board President or Superintendent, or their designees, shall make reasonable efforts to provide ongoing professional development to Board members about the requirements of 105 ILCS 5/10-22.6 and 105 ILCS 5/10-20.14, adverse consequences of school exclusion and justice-system involvement, effective classroom management strategies, culturally responsive discipline, trauma-responsive learning environments, appropriate and available supportive services for the promotion of student attendance and engagement, and developmentally appropriate disciplinary methods that promote positive and healthy school climates.
Board Self-Evaluation
The Board will conduct periodic self-evaluations with the goal of continuous improvement.
New Board Member Orientation
The orientation process for newly elected or appointed Board members includes:
The Board President or Superintendent, or their designees, shall give each new Board member a copy of or online access to the Board Policy Manual, the Board’s regular meeting minutes for the past year, and other helpful information including material describing the District and explaining the Board’s roles and responsibilities.
The Board President or designee shall schedule one or more special Board meetings, or schedule time during regular meetings, for Board members to become acquainted and to review Board processes and procedures.
The Board President may request a veteran Board member to mentor a new member.
All new members are encouraged to attend workshops for new members conducted by the Illinois Association of School Boards.
Candidates
The Superintendent or designee shall invite all current candidates for the office of Board member to attend: (1) Board meetings, except that this invitation shall not extend to any closed meetings, and (2) pre-election workshops for candidates.
LEGAL REF.: 5 ILCS 120/1.05 and 120/2, Open Meetings Act.
105 ILCS 5/10-16a and 5/24-16.5.
CROSS REF.: 2:80 (Board Member Oath and Conduct), 2:125 (Board Member Compensation; Expenses), 2:200 (Types of School Board Meetings)
UPDATED: October 2024