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EASTON AREA
SCHOOL DISTRICT
No. 004
SECTION:
LOCAL BOARD PROCEDURES
TITLE:
MEMBERSHIP
ADOPTED:
June 21, 2007
REVISED:
May 26, 2011
004. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Number
SC 302, 303
SC 1081
The Board shall consist of nine (9) members.
The Superintendent shall have a seat on the Board and the right to speak on all
matters but not the right to vote.
Section 2. Qualifications
SC 321, 322, 323,
324
Each member of the Board must meet the following qualifications:
SC 322
a.
Be of good moral character, be eighteen (18) years of age, have been a resident
of the district for at least one (1) year prior to the date of his/her election or
appointment, and shall not be a holder of any office or position as specified in
Section 322 of the School Code; nor shall the individual be a member of the
municipal council.
SC 323
b.
May not have been removed from any office of trust under federal, state or local
laws for any malfeasance in such office.
SC 324
65 Pa. C.S.A.
Sec. 1101 et seq
c.
Must not be engaged in a business transaction with the school district, be
employed by the school district, or receive pay for services from the school
district, except as provided by law.
SC 321
d.
Must take and subscribe to the oath or affirmation prescribed by statute before
entering the duties of the office.
65 Pa. C.S.A.
Sec. 1101 et seq
e.
Must file a statement of financial interests with the State Ethics Commission at
the following times:
1.
Before taking the oath of office or entering upon his/her duties.
2.
Annually by May 1 while serving on the Board.
3.
By May 1 of the year after leaving the Board.
004. MEMBERSHIP - Pg. 2
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Section 3. Distribution Of Materials To Board Candidates
In order to provide timely and complete information to individuals seeking to be
elected as Board members in the district, each bona fide candidate shall be offered
the opportunity to receive a copy of the agenda booklet and other appropriate
materials for each meeting scheduled during the primary and general election
campaigns. Materials of a more general nature (such as budget documentation, etc.),
which do not pertain to a specific meeting, shall also be made available in a similar
manner.
Section 4. Election
SC 301 et seq
Election of members of the Board shall be by region and in accordance with law.
Section 5. Vacancies
SC 315, 316, 317,
319
65 Pa. C.S.A.
701 et seq
A vacancy shall occur by reason of death, resignation, removal from a district or
region, or otherwise. Such vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the Sunshine
Act and by appointment by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board
within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of the vacancy. The Board member so
appointed shall serve until the first Monday in December after the first municipal
election occurring more than sixty (60) days following his/her appointment. When a
majority of the memberships are vacant, such vacancies shall be filled by the Court
of Common Pleas of Northampton County or Bucks County.
Section 6. Term
SC 303, 315
The term of office of each Board member shall be four (4) years and shall expire on
the first Monday of December, except that the term of a Board member appointed to
fill a vacancy shall expire on the first Monday of December after the municipal
election occurring more than sixty (60) days after his/her appointment. The term of a
Board member elected to an unexpired term shall expire at the termination of that
term.
Section 7. Removal
65 P.S.
Sec. 91
Whenever a Board member is no longer a resident of the region s/he was elected to
represent, his/her membership on the Board shall cease.
The removal of a Board member who resigns shall become effective upon the
presentation of the resignation to the Board President and upon the date specified.
004. MEMBERSHIP - Pg. 3
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SC 319
Pol. 006
If a Board member neglects or refuses to attend two (2) successive regular meetings
of the Board, unless detained by sickness or prevented by necessary absence from
the district, or if in attendance at any meeting s/he neglects or refuses to act in
his/her official capacity as a school director, the remaining members of the Board
may declare such office vacant on the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining
members of the Board.
SC 319
Pol. 006
If a person elected or appointed as a Board member, having been duly notified,
refuses or neglects to qualify as such director, the remaining members may, within
ten (10) days following the beginning of such member’s term of office, declare said
office vacant on the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining members of the
Board.
Section 8. Expenses
SC 516.1
Board members, a nonmember Board Secretary, and solicitor(s) shall be reimbursed
for necessary expenses actually incurred as delegates to any Board-approved state
convention or association of school directors' convention held within the
Commonwealth or NSBA or AASA conference or for necessary expenses actually
incurred in attendance authorized by the Board at any other meeting held within the
Commonwealth or at an educational convention out-of-state. All such meetings
and/or conventions for which reimbursement shall be sought must receive prior
approval from the Board, as per Section 12, below. All such expenses must be
itemized and made available for public inspection at the next succeeding Board
meeting. No member shall be reimbursed for more than two (2) out-of-state
meetings in one (1) school year. Expenses shall be reimbursed only upon
presentation of an itemized, verified statement, except that advance payments may
be made upon presentation of estimated expenses to be incurred.
Board members may be reimbursed for mileage to and from Board meetings from
their place of residence at the rate that is in effect at the time the expense is incurred.
Reimbursement will be made by Accounts Payable upon receipt of an itemized,
written request, submitted within twenty-four (24) hours of the date of incurrence.
Section 9. Orientation
The magnitude of School Board membership calls for knowledge of and orientation
to many areas of information and understandings. Under the guidance of
experienced Board members and the Superintendent, orientation will be provided to
new Board members through the following activities:
a.
Workshops for new Board members conducted by state and area school boards
associations.
004. MEMBERSHIP - Pg. 4
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b.
Discussions and visits with the Superintendent and other members of the school
staff.
The Board shall give to each new Board member no later than his/her first regular
meeting for use during his/her term on the Board the following items:
SC 519
a.
A copy of the School Code.
b.
A copy of the Board Policy Manual.
c.
A copy of the District Administrative Regulations.
d.
The current budget statement, audit report and related fiscal materials.
e.
The most recent Strategic Plan.
Orientation shall be considered an ongoing process for all Board members, and may
include such activities as those established for new Board members, in addition to
the following:
a.
Attendance at School Board and administrative conferences and conventions on
a local, area, state, and national basis.
b.
Exchange of ideas through joint meetings with neighboring school boards.
Section 10. District Support Of Board Members
In order to aid Board members in the completion of their duties, as outlined in this
policy, the district will provide appropriate support as directed by the Board, in the
form of staff assistance and/or equipment on a loan basis.
Staff assistance in the form of research efforts, report preparation, correspondence,
etc. shall be available at the request of individual Board members. If, in the opinion
of the Superintendent, such a request will result in an undue burden of the staff, the
work shall be completed only on the basis of a majority vote at a public Board
meeting.
Equipment of a permanent nature, such as file cabinets, etc. shall be available on a
loan basis at the request of individual Board members after general authorization by
a majority vote at a Board meeting. Such equipment shall remain the property of the
district and shall be conspicuously marked as such, and shall be returned within
thirty (30) days of the completion of the term of the Board member.
004. MEMBERSHIP - Pg. 5
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Section 11. Board Member Development Opportunities
Board members shall be encouraged to attend workshops presented by the
intermediate unit and by state and national school boards associations. The library
and office of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association shall be available to
members. Professional magazines and the district's educational library shall be
available to each Board member.
Procedures to be used for the implementation of this policy shall be reviewed and
affirmed at the annual reorganization meeting.
Section 12. Out-Of-District Conferences, Conventions, And Workshops
Information regarding conferences, conventions, and special meetings shall be
documented and shared with Board members.
Board members who express a willingness to attend a conference, convention, etc.,
will complete the required request form at least three (3) weeks in advance of the
scheduled conference, or by such intervals as specified by the Business Manager,
and forward the request to the business office.
District-financed attendance at NSBA and AASA conventions as well as state-wide
PSBA conferences shall be open to any Board members who wish to attend, subject
to Board approval.
The business office shall be responsible for processing the conference request and
making the necessary arrangements. In this attempt, the business office shall have
alternatives available as to the most economical cost of travel and lodging to assist
Board members in minimizing any expenses to the district.
SC 516, 516.1
Allowable reimbursable expenses shall include travel, travel insurance, lodging,
meals, registration fees, and incidental expenses incurred as specified in the School
Code.
Within five (5) days following the conference, convention, etc., each attendee shall
file the following with the business office:
a.
Completed request form with actual expenses and attached receipts.
b.
Written conference report including any materials suitable for reproduction that
might be of special interest to other Board members. (Only one (1) composite
report need be submitted within fifteen (15) days.)
004. MEMBERSHIP - Pg. 6
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For regional seminars, the completed request form is not necessary since the district
is billed directly for expenses incurred by attendees. Board members who plan to
attend these local seminars shall indicate same at least ten (10) days prior to the
seminar or meeting.
Pol. 011
All Board members are required to abide by the Board Governance Standards and
Code of Conduct, as set forth in Board Policy 011.
References:
School Code
301, 302, 303, 315,
319, 321, 322, 323,
324, 516, 516.1, 519
65 Pa. C.S.A.
1101 et seq
65 Pa. C.S.A.
701 et seq
Board Policy
006
Removal of
Residence; Forfeiture
of Office – 65 P.S.
Sec. 91