9240 - Board Member Professional Development

Bylaws of the Board

9240 - Board Member Professional Development

The Board of Education (Board) desires that its individual members of the Board, and especially new members, learn, understand and practice effective governance principles. The Superintendent and Board Chairperson are responsible for new member orientation and development. The orientation should include a discussion of issues currently before the Board, reference to the minutes of the Board on the website, a copy of the Board’s policies, rules, and regulations, a copy of the current school budget and the latest financial statement, a new Board Member packet and any other materials relevant to their duties and responsibilities as members of the Windsor Locks Public Schools.

All Board members will have an equal opportunity to attend state and national meetings designed to familiarize members with public school issues, governance and legislation.

In order to develop leadership capabilities, become informed about current issues in education, and improve their skills as members of a policy-making body, Board members will be encouraged to participate in opportunities for development that may include the following:

• In-service activities planned by the Board and by the administration for staff members, as appropriate;

• Participation in conferences, workshops and conventions held by State and National School Boards Associations and other educational organizations;

• Subscriptions to publications addressing Board member concerns.

In order to control the investment of time and funds necessary to implement this policy, the Board establishes these principles and procedures for its guidelines:

1. The Superintendent shall maintain a calendar of school board conferences, conventions and workshops. The Board will periodically decide which meetings appear to be most promising in terms of producing benefits to the District.

2. Funds for participation at such meetings will be budgeted on an annual basis. When funds are limited, the Board will designate which of its members would be the most appropriate to participate at a given meeting.

3. Board members authorized to attend educational conferences and/or performing official duties for the Board shall be reimbursed, upon submitting vouchers and supporting documentation, for reasonable expenditures, transportation costs to and from the destination and registration fees. Board members must have approval in advance from the Board.

4. When a convention, conference or workshop is attended, those who participate will be requested to make a report of their participation at the next regular Board meeting.

Professional journals and books in school professional libraries shall be made available to all Board members.

(cf. 1100 – Communication with the Public)

(cf. 4133 – Travel Reimbursement)

Bylaw Adopted: June 14, 2012

Revised: November 2019

9240

Appendix A

(Attach All Bills and Receipts to this Report)