Board of Education Meeting Procedures

The Saratoga Springs City School District’s Board of Education is composed of nine unsalaried citizens elected to serve overlapping terms of three years each. At the end of a term, a Board member wishing to continue public service must be re-elected to another term. New York State Law does not limit the number of terms a member may serve.

Board meeting dates and locations
Meetings of the Board of Education are generally held on the second Tuesday and last Thursday of each month. The schedule of regular meetings is established and published prior to the beginning of each school year. Copies of the meeting date calendar are available at the Central Administration offices, 3 Blue Streak Boulevard. Most meetings are held in the Meade Auditorium at the Senior High School, but the six elementary schools and the middle school each host one meeting during the school year. By conducting meetings in various locations within the district, the board encourages citizens to attend and become more involved in their schools. Board meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and are chaired by the President of the Board of Education or, if absent, the Vice President. The Superintendent of Schools joins the board members at the meeting table. Central office administrators are also in attendance at board meetings.

Board Actions
The Board of Education is an agency of the State of New York and is charged with governing the School District, not with day-to-day administration. Within the powers delegated by law, the Board is the policy-making, or legislative branch of the School District. The Superintendent of Schools is the executive officer charged with responsibility for administering the schools within Board policy.

The Board of Education is responsible for the general supervision of the schools. Although its members may not act individually, collectively they are responsible for all things done in the District. The Board exercises this responsibility by proper organization, delegation, and direction through policies adopted.

Board Meetings
A meeting of the Board of Education must be conducted in a specified manner because laws and regulations require legal actions and the following of formal procedures. Meetings are for the transaction of the business of your school district. Board members, as your elected officials, exercise their legislative authority. All formal actions of the Board must be conducted at a regular or special meeting. A vote of the majority of the Board is needed to pass resolutions.

Meeting Agenda
An advance agenda is prepared and submitted to the Board, local media, and school personnel. On the Friday preceding a Board meeting, Board members receive an explanation of the items on the agenda. This gives members time to study items before they have to make a voting decision at the meeting.
The order of business at the Regular meeting is:
• Roll Call
• Approval of Minutes
• Communications
• Public Hearing
• Administrative Reports
• Old Business
• New Business
• Personnel
• Financial
• Public Hearing
• Executive Session (when needed)
• Adjournment

Public Involvement
The public is encouraged to make its views known to the Board during the public hearing portions of the agenda. It should be pointed out that there is no legal requirement that the public be given this opportunity to speak at Board meetings. It is a procedure of the present Board of Education.

Citizens wishing to speak are requested to identify themselves and then make a short statement. The Board of Education’s function is decision-making. It wants to hear the sentiments of the public to assist in these decisions, but questions about the operation of the schools should be directed to the teacher or administrator closest to the situation. Experience has shown this procedure works best.
SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS/ BUDGET VOTE PROCEDURES
School district residents vote on the school district budget and elect candidates to the Board of Education on the third Tuesday in May. Voting qualifications are as follows:

You may vote if:
1. You are a United States citizen;
2. You are at least 18 years of age;
3. You have been duly registered to vote.

You may register to vote if:
1. You are a United States citizen;
2. You are at least 18 years of age;
3. You are a resident of the School District for thirty days preceding the date of the election.

Voters may cast their ballots at the annual school election, and other special referendums, at a polling location near their homes. Voting takes place at each of the following schools.
1. Caroline Street Elementary School
2. Division Street Elementary School
3. Dorothy Nolan Elementary School
4. Geyser Road Elementary School
5. Greenfield Elementary School
6. Lake Avenue Elementary School

Any Questions?
If you have any questions concerning specific aspects of your school’s program, you will get the best answers by talking directly to the teacher serving your child, or to the Building Principal. When you want information on a Districtwide program, or if you have special concerns regarding the School District, you should feel free to contact any of the administrators listed below. For referral information or phone numbers for the person you wish to reach, call 583-4700.

Superintendent of Schools (583-4709)
The Superintendent of Schools is the Chief Administrative Officer of the School District and oversees the entire school operation. Questions related particularly to School Board procedures and policy should be directed to this office.

Deputy Superintendent (583-4714)
This office is responsible for the school district’s program of instruction and supervision. Summer school, student registration and curriculum development are also included in this responsibility.

Assistant Superintendent for Business (583-4703)
This office directs the day-to-day business activities of the school system, including payroll, school taxes, school lunch, and all general financial matters. The office also serves as liaison officer regarding transportation of students and attendance.

Director of Elementary and Middle School Education (583-4473)
This office is responsible for supervising the curriculum, instruction and operation of the six elementary schools and the Maple Avenue Middle School. The office also supervises the programs for students on home instruction.

Director for Pupil Services (583-4715)
This office can help you with questions concerning health services, psychological services, speech and language services, education of disabled students, and child abuse and neglect.

Director for Human Resource Services (583-4713 and 583-4712)
This office is responsible for developing, implementing and coordinating personnel policies and programs for the school district. Collective bargaining activities, civil rights compliance and in-service training are also included in this responsibility.

Coordinator for Staff Development and Special Projects (583-4725)
This office plans and coordinates a comprehensive inservice program for administrators, teaching staff and support personnel relating to instruction. Other responsibilities include compensatory education, gifted and talented programming, and arts-in-education.

Coordinator of Computer/Technology K-12 (584-3228)
This office plans and coordinates computer/ technology programs for grades kindergarten through 12 in all schools in the district.

Director of Facilities and Operations (587-6365)
This office is responsible for day-to-day operations and maintenance of the district’s buildings and grounds. The office also coordinates facility improvements required to maintain the district’s infrastructures and support academic requirements.

Although the Board wants the public aware and involved, it should be understood that all items on the agenda are important to the operation of the School District and must be acted upon. When the Board President curtails discussion on a topic, it is intended to ensure that the Board has sufficient time to address all other matters before it that evening.