Election 2011: District 61 Candidates on their Roles

What do you think is the role of the school board, and how do you see the relationship between the board and the superintendent?

The school board is legally responsible to the taxpayers and state for school district operations. The board’s role is to develop goals and policies that reflect our community needs and values, be financial stewards to the taxpayers, monitor district academic performance and ensure progress through curriculum, work cooperatively with board members and local government entities, and employ a superintendent.

The superintendent reports to the board and carries out the day-to-day operations. The superintendent is entrusted to operate effectively and efficiently in a manner consistent with the goals and policies of the board, holding all employees accountable, and to foster responsive leadership. The board is responsible for holding the superintendent accountable to established goals and objects and overall operation of the schools and the performance of its employees. The superintendent provides the board with necessary information needed to carry out its responsibilities, prepares the annual budget, and ensures that the school is compliant with applicable laws and regulations.

The role of the school board is to oversee operations of the school district following the recommendations of the superintendent, who is hired by the board as the educational leader of the district. The board should, after studying data provided by the administration, set a mission or a vision for the school district.  The board and the superintendent should work closely together. The board hires a superintendent partly because he/she has a shared vision for the district.  Therefore, the board and superintendent should often be on the same page educationally and financially.  

The board is responsible for putting in place a foundation for students to learn and achieve at the highest level possible. The board needs to formulate goals and define outcomes, creating a school district for now and for the future. There is an ongoing relationship between the board and the superintendent with clear role definitions for both parties.