Page 15 - The Edge - Summer 2016

SPRING CONFERENCE WRAPUP

BY DON HARRIS

Here’s What You Need to Know About Governing Boards

Knowing the authority of Governing Boards – what they Association, provided an insider’s view of a Governing Board’s
can and cannot do – is helpful for AASBO members in all job role and how district employees and staff should communicate
classifications, from the lowest entry position right up to district with the Board.
superintendent. Governing Boards only have those powers given to them by
Under state law, Governing Board members have the statute, and those powers are given to the board as a whole when
authority to approve or reject budgets, enforce policies and acting in a properly noticed meeting, not to individual board
procedures, purchase school sites and decide whether to build members.
a new facility, purchase books and supplies, curricula, codes of ARS 15-341 lists more than 40 requirements for Governing
conduct and dress, and disciplinary action against students and Boards. The most important is to prescribe and enforce policies
staff. contained in a manual developed by the Board. “Everything that
For the most part, the Governing Board has the authority goes on in the district is guided by its policies, from employment
over a wide range of recommendations submitted by the to use of facilities,” Contreras said. “It describes the purpose of
superintendent and his or her staff. the Board, its vision and mission, how to communicate with one
In a breakout session at AASBO’s Spring Conference April 7 in another and with the superintendent, and the rules of order.”
Laughlin, Nevada, Panfilo Contreras, owner of PHC Consulting
and former Executive Director of the Arizona School Boards CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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