Sterling Schools CUSD #5                                                                                                     2.240

 

Board of Education

Board Policy Development


The School Board governs using written policies.  Written policies ensure legal compliance, establish Board processes, articulate District ends, delegate authority, and define operating limits.  Board policies also provide the basis for monitoring progress toward District ends.

Policy Development

Any Board of Education member, the Superintendent, or any District citizen may propose new policies or changes to existing policies. Suggestions from staff members or organizations should be processed through the Superintendent.

A Board Policy Committee will consider all policy suggestions, and provide information and recommendations to the Board.

The Superintendent or a designee is responsible for: (1) providing relevant policy information and data to the Board, (2) notifying those who will implement or be affected by or required to implement a proposed policy and obtaining their advice and suggestions, and (3) drafting policy recommendations into acceptable written form for further deliberation and/or action by the Board of Education. The Superintendent shall seek the counsel of the school attorney when there may be a legal question or of proper legal procedure in a policy's development.

Policy Adoption and Dissemination

Policies or policy revisions will not be adopted at the Board meeting at which they are introduced, except when: (1) appropriate for a consent agenda because no Board discussion is required, or (2) necessary or prudent in order to meet emergency or special conditions or to be legally compliant. Further Board consideration will be given at a subsequent meeting(s) and after opportunity for community input. The adoption of a policy will serve to supersede all previously adopted policies on the same topic.

The Board of Education policies are available for public inspection in the administrative office during regular office hours or on the District’s website. Copy requests can be made under the District's board policy, 2.250, Access to Public Records Policy.

Board Policy Review and Evaluation

The Board of Education shall periodically evaluate the execution and results of its policies and consider whether any modifications are required.

Superintendent Implementation

The Board will support any reasonable interpretation of School Board policy made by the Superintendent.  If reasonable minds differ, the Board will review the applicable policy and consider the need for further clarification.

In the absence of Board of Education policy, the Superintendent is authorized to take appropriate administrative action but shall promptly inform the Board of Education.

Suspension of Policies

The Board of Education may temporarily suspend a Board policy except those provisions that are controlled by law or contract.  The failure to suspend with a specific motion does not invalidate the Board action.

LEGAL REF.: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.5.

CROSS REF.: 2.150, 2.250, 3.40

Adopted:
March 28, 1996

Revised:  January 24, 2007