Board Of Education Race

Board members volunteer their time to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for all students. They vote during public meetings to set school district policies that allow every child the opportunity to meet the NJ Core Content Curriculum Standards.

Role of a Board of Education Member

A Board of Education Member's main job is to set policies or guidelines that will see that the district is well run. Members make decisions by majority rule in votes held in public meetings. They do not run the district; the administration is in charge of day-to-day decisions (calling snow days, student/staff discipline, etc.).

Board members oversee the Sparta Township Public Schools Superintendent who oversees all other staff. The Board cannot appoint staff without the Superintendent's recommendation except when a staff member is non-renewed. Members are ethically required to support and protect staff in the performance of their duties.

Board members cannot handle complaints; they must refer them to the Superintendent or direct the community to follow the chain of command (teacher to Assistant Principal to Principal to Assistant Superintendent to Superintendent).

Members are required to follow a Code of Ethics and the School Ethics Act; they must not violate their public trust. They may have knowledge of confidential information but may not ethically share it with anyone including family. Members will also have to take NJSBA training courses covering subjects like policy, school finance, labor relations, etc.