Board Development Opportunities
The Charter School realizes that proper board training is important. Decisions about school policy, personnel, finance, curriculum, and communications can be overwhelming and may require training. Training Board Members to be effective leaders and decision makers is an educational investment that benefits the entire community. The Board believes that with proper training, it can create a positive and productive atmosphere for decision-making. There needs to be strong leadership among Board Members demonstrated by teamwork, effective communication, problem-solving skills, and positive relationships between the Board and the Executive Director.
The Board places a high priority on the importance of a planned and continuing program of inservice education for its Members. The central purpose of the program is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of public school governance in our community. The Board shall plan specific inservice activities designed to assist Board Members in their efforts to improve their skills as members of the policy-making body; to expand their knowledge about trends, issues, and new ideas affecting the continued welfare of our local schools; and to deepen their insights into the nature of leadership in a modern democratic society.
Funds may be budgeted annually to support the program. Qualified training in continuous improvement planning, finance, school administrator evaluations and training, ethics, and governance may be reimbursable by the State through the process outlined in Idaho Board of Education rules. Individual Board Members shall be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses, as prescribed in Policy 1420 Director Expenses, incurred through participation in approved activities.
The Board, as a whole, shall retain the authority to approve or disapprove the participation of Members in planned activities. The public shall be kept informed through the news media about the Board’s continuing inservice education and about the programs anticipated for short and long-range benefits to our schools.
The Board regards the following as examples of activities and services appropriate for implementing this policy:
- Participation in school board conferences, workshops, and conventions held by the State and national school boards associations;
- Charter School-sponsored training sessions for Board Members; and
- Subscriptions to publications addressed to the concerns of Board Members.
In order to control both the investment of time and funds necessary to implement this policy, the Board establishes these principles and procedures for its guidelines:
- A calendar of board conferences, conventions, and workshops shall be maintained by the Executive Director. The Board will periodically decide which meetings appear to be most promising in terms of producing direct and indirect benefits to the Charter School.
- Funds for participation at such meetings will be budgeted on an annual basis. When funds are limited, the Board will designate which of its Members would be the most appropriate to participate at a given meeting.
- When a conference, convention, or workshop is not attended by the full Board, those who do participate will be requested to share information, recommendations, and materials acquired at the meeting.
Board Members are encouraged to attend workshops presented by the State and national school boards associations.
Cross Reference:
§ 1315 Continuous Improvement Plan
Legal References:
I.C. § 33-320 Continuous Improvement Planning and Training
I.D.A.P.A. 08.02.02.801 Continuous Improvement Planning and Training (Implementing I.C. § 33-320)
Policy History:
Adopted on: May 17, 2021
Revised on:
Reviewed on: