About the Board of Education

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Purpose of the Board

The Board of Education is responsible for the fair and uniform application of all federal, state and local laws in the operation of district schools. These schools will be operated for the educational benefit of all school-age children in the district, grades kindergarten through sixth. The board is the policymaking body of the school district. It exercises leadership primarily through the formulation and adoption of policies.

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Organization of the Board

The Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen is a kindergarten through sixth grade system. It is governed by a seven-member Board of Education. Three members of the seven are appointed to serve on the Central High School board. The term begins on July 1st at the start of the school district’s fiscal year. According to New York State law, there is no limit to the number of terms a board member may serve. Board members receive no salary or other financial compensation for their service. To qualify as a member of the board, a person must be a resident and a registered voter in the school district.

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The Reorganization Meeting

In July, district Thirteen’s Board of Education holds its annual reorganization meeting. At this time, the board elects a president and vice president who each serve a one-year term. The new president appoints the chairperson and members of the board’s three standing committees: education, business and policy.

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Board Committee & Business Meetings

In July and August the board ordinarily meets only once a month to conduct its business. From September through June, the board meets at least twice a month, customarily on the third and fourth Tuesdays at 8:00 PM.

The first of the two monthly meetings, called the Committee of the Whole meeting, is a work session and no action is taken in the educational and business operations. At the second monthly meeting, the board business meeting, the board votes and takes action on items on the agenda. A majority of four of the seven votes is needed in order for a motion to pass. Board meetings are generally held in the board room of the James A. Dever School.

Open and closed (executive) sessions:
Both board committee meetings and business meetings are open to the public. According to New York State Open Meetings Law, the only closed portions of meetings (when the board meets privately in executive session) are those involving matters of a confidential nature concerning litigation; collective negotiations; or personnel matters of a particular individual.

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Responsibilities of the School Board

The Board of Education is the official policymaking body of the school district. The responsibilities of the board include:

• Representing the views of the community in educational matters

• Determining the district’s educational standards and goals

• Adopting policies for the operation of the school district

• Overseeing financial matters and developing an annual school budget for public vote

• Hiring the Superintendent of Schools

• Authorizing the appointment of staff members and other personnel actions upon the recommendation of the superintendent

• Communicating the district’s educational program and needs to the community

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Role of the Board of Education Officers

The Board of Education functions with three part-time, salaried personnel who are appointed for one-year renewable terms at the July reorganization meeting.

Attorney: The Board of Education attorney serves as the legal advisor to the board and district, and represents the district in other legal matters to which the school district is a party, approving forms and contracts made with the board and district, and approving proposed regulations and other legal documents.

District Clerk: The district clerk is the board officer who prepares and maintains all board records, correspondence and minutes, and publishes and processes all legal notices and documents.

Treasurer: The board treasurer serves as the custodian of all district monies, signing all checks and drafts, planning and borrowing and investing district funds, and preparing monthly financial statements for the board.

The Role of the Superintendent of Schools: The Superintendent of Schools, who is selected by the Board of Education, is the chief executive officer of the school district. The Superintendent is responsible for:

• Implementing and administering the policies adopted by the board

• Managing the day-to-day operations of the school district

• Providing the district with educational leadership

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Role of the Resident

Attendance at board meetings.

All residents are invited and encouraged to attend board meetings and budget hearings. These meeting dates are printed in the district calendar and are published in the local newspaper.

At every board business meeting there is an opportunity for school district residents to address the board.

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Registering & Voting

Residents are encouraged to vote on the elementary and high school budgets, election of members to the Board of Education, and other propositions which come before the voters.

To be eligible to vote, a person must be a United States citizen, at least 18 years old, a resident of the school district for at least 30 days, and registered. Effective July 1, 2002 we have open registration on all school days between 8 AM and 4 PM in the District Office located at James A. Dever School. There will be a PM registration one week before election from 5 PM-9 PM. This is the last opportunity to register before the election. Absentee ballots are available.

Application for Absentee Ballot

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Involvement in Our Schools

The Board of Education encourages the public to become involved in the schools, not only by attending board meetings and voting, but also by participating in the PTA and by attending school events.

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The School Board Meeting

BOARD MEETING PROCEDURES

Each Board of Education meeting shall be conducted in an orderly manner which provides time for and encourages community involvement. The order of business at each regular meeting shall be as follows:

1. Call to order

2. Determination of Quorum

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Approval of Minutes of previous meeting(s)

5. Report by the Chair or District Clerk on all correspondence

6. Report of the Superintendent

7. Reports of the Standing Committees

A. Education

B. Business

C. Policy

D. Committee of the Whole

8. Report of the Attorney

9. Old Business

10. New Business

11. Recognition of visitors wishing to address the Board

12. Adjournment

The regular order of business may be changed at any meeting (and for that meeting only) by an affirmative vote of a majority and voting for the proposed change in the regular order of business.

Except in emergencies, the Board shall not attempt to decide upon any question under consideration before examining and evaluating relevant information. The Superintendent shall be given an opportunity to examine and to evaluate all such information, and to recommend action before the Board attempts to make a decision.

The Board may adjourn a regular or special meeting at any place in the agenda providing that arrangements are made to complete the items of business on the agenda at a future meeting. The minutes shall make notice of the adjournment, and the reconvened session shall be considered an addition to these minutes.

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