Board Officers and Duties of Board Members Policy 1220
Board of Directors
BOARD OFFICERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
President
The president shall preside at all meetings of the board and sign all papers and documents as required by law or as authorized by action of the board including signing the general certificate to the county treasurer authorizing the payments of warrants specified in the certificate. The president shall conduct the meetings in the manner prescribed by the board's policies, provided that the president shall have the full right to participate in all aspects of board action without relinquishing the chair, including the right to vote on all matters put to a vote.
It shall be the responsibility of the board president to manage the board's deliberation so that it shall be clear, concise, and directed to the issue at hand; summarize discussion and/or action before moving on to the next agenda item; and to generally manage the meeting so that the agenda is treated in an expeditious manner.
The president shall be the official recipient of correspondence directed to the board and shall provide, or cause to be provided to other board members and the superintendent, copies of the correspondence received on behalf of the board.
The president is authorized to consult with the superintendent on issues prior to presentation to the full board and perform tasks to facilitate board meetings.
The president or his/her designee will attend annual audit entrance and exit meetings, as requested.
In dealing with the media and the public in general, the president or his/her designee will serve as the spokesperson of the board. The president is authorized to report and discuss those actions which have been taken and those decisions made by the board as a body. The president shall avoid speculating upon actions or decisions, which the board may take but has not yet taken.
The president shall confer with the superintendent regarding board meeting, study session and board retreat planning.
Officers of the Board: Vice President
The vice-president shall preside at board meetings in the absence of the president and shall perform all of the duties of the president in case of his/her absence or disability.
Legislative Representative
A legislative representative shall serve as the board's liaison with the Washington State School Directors' Association Legislative Assembly. The legislative representative shall attend Washington State School Directors' Association Assemblies, conveying the board’s views and concerns to that body and participating in the formulation of state legislative programs. The legislative representative shall monitor proposed school legislation and inform the board of the issues, and will also monitor the State Board of Education activities and legislative priorities.
Duties of Individual Board Members
The authority of individual board members is limited to participating in actions taken by the board as a whole when legally in session. Board members shall not assume responsibilities of administrators or other staff members. The board or staff shall not be bound in any way by any action taken or statement made by any individual board member except when such statement or action is pursuant to specific instructions and official action taken by the board.
Board members will make the time commitment necessary to serve the board and district effectively. Each board member shall review the agenda and any study materials distributed prior to the meeting and be prepared to participate in the discussion and decision-making for each agenda item.
Each member is obligated to attend board meetings regularly. Whenever possible, each director shall give advance notice to the president or superintendent of his/her inability to attend a board meeting. A majority of the board may excuse a director's absence from a meeting if requested to do so. The board may declare a board member's position vacant after four consecutive unexcused absences from regular board meetings.
Legal References: RCW 28A.343.390 Directors — Quorum — Failure to attend meetings
RCW 28A.320 Provisions applicable to all districts
RCW 28A.330.100 Additional powers of the board
RCW 28A.330.030 Duties of President
RCW 28A.330.080 Payment of Claims — Signing of warrants
RCW 28A.330.200 Organization of the board — Assumption of superintendent’s duties by board member, when
RCW 28A.330.040 Duties of vice-President
Management Resources:
Policy News, December 2007 Role of the School Board President
Adopted: September 28, 2009
Revised: May 22, 2017