Baldwin County Public Schools Policies of the Board of Education Bay Minette, Alabama

379 Pages·2010·3.27 MB·English

Baldwin County Public Schools

Policies
of the
Board of Education

Bay Minette, Alabama
BALDWIN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
2600-A North Hand Avenue
Bay Minette, Alabama 36507

BOARD MEMBERS

David B. Cox District 1
David Tarwater District 2
Tony Myrick District 3
Norman Moore District 4
Angie Swiger District 5
Cecil Christenberry District 6
Shannon Cauley District 7

Mr. Eddie Tyler
Superintendent-Secretary

The board meets the third Thursday of each month
All meetings are open to the public
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

Tab 100 Introduction and Overview
Tab 200 Board Operations
Tab 300 Business Services
Tab 400 Treasurer-Comptroller
Tab 500 Maintenance Services
Tab 600 Transportation Services
Tab 700 Curriculum and Instruction
Tab 800 Personnel
Tab 900 Pupil Personnel
Tab 1000 Special Services
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TAB 100: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

#100 Introduction
#101 Policy Adoption
#102 Appeal Procedure
#103 Duties
#103A Code of Ethics of Baldwin County Board of Education
#104 Equal Opportunity Statement
#105 Equal Education Opportunity & Non-Discrimination Statement

Tab 100 – Page 1
#100

INTRODUCTION

The very essence of public education is a complex and delicate endeavor.
The Baldwin County Board of Education is constantly striving to improve the
quality of education in Baldwin County and, on occasion, this requires adoption of
new policies or amendments to existing policies.
The manual contains statements of policy approved by the Baldwin County
Board of Education, the legal body responsible for the operation of the Baldwin
County Public School System. These policies designate the responsibilities and
constraints which guide all personnel employed by the system, as well as those it
serves.
The Baldwin County Board of Educations functions in trusteeship and
policy-making roles to assure the Superintendent has adequate guidance to fulfill his
administrative functions in a manner consistent with locally controlled public
education. Although the Baldwin County Public School System is locally controlled,
it is subject to federal and state regulations. This manual also included rules and
regulations, which result from both federal and state requirements.
A copy of this manual is available at all schools and at various central office
locations for review by all personnel. Written suggestions and/or recommendations
for new policies or revisions to existing ones to improve this school system are
always welcome. The board reserves the privilege to change and suspend these
policies in accordance with standard procedures as circumstances warrant.

Tab 100 – Page 2
#101

POLICY ADOPTION

All personnel are hereby notified that these policies, as approved, are the
official policies which govern the operation of the Baldwin County Public School
System. All previous policies not brought forward in this manual and adopted by
the Board are void and obsolete. These policies shall remain in effect until amended
and/or deleted by the Baldwin County Board of Education.

Board Approved
September 28, 1995

Tab 100 – Page 3
#102

APPEAL PROCEDURE

Any decision made by any employee of the Baldwin County Board of
Education may be appealed to the Board where final authority in all matters of the
school system resides. The Board requires any appealing party to exercise all
channels of procedure prior to making an appeal to the board.

Tab 100 – Page 4
#103

DUTIES

The duties and obligations of board members are as follows:

1. The Board of Education shall act as a legislative body in determining general
policies for control, operation and maintenance of schools. Implementation of
such policies shall be the responsibility of the superintendent and
administrative staff.

2. The Board of Education shall determine with and on the advice of the
superintendent the educational policy of the county, and shall prescribe rules
and regulations for the conduct and management of schools.

3. The Board of Education shall appoint the superintendent of schools.

4. The Board of Education may appoint local schools patrons.

5. The board members shall familiarize themselves with state school laws,
regulations of the State Department of Education and Baldwin County
Public School System policies, rules and regulations.

6. Board members shall vote and act in board meetings impartially for the good
of the system.

7. Board members shall accept the will of the majority vote in all cases and be
of wholehearted support of the resulting policy.

8. Board members shall work harmoniously with other board members.

9. No member of the Board of Education shall be an employee of the Baldwin
County Public School System.

Tab 100 – Page 5
#103a CODE OF ETHICS OF BALDWIN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

Affirming that the Golden Rule is a good basis for ethical decisions, the members of
the Baldwin County Board of Education hereby determine to treat our constituents,
school district employees, and each other as we would want to be treated.

In accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, court orders and policies of
the Baldwin County Board of Education, we will perform our responsibilities to the
public as we would want our own elected representatives to perform their
responsibilities to us.

➢ Each member understands that upon moving from their respective districts
that their seat becomes vacant immediately. Upon the happening of such a
vacancy the Board will notify the proper authorities at once to begin the
replacement procedure.
➢ Each member recognizes and will adhere to the tenet that authority rests
only with the Board assembled in a meeting and that Board members outside
of regularly constituted meetings shall have no authority to make decisions,
to commit the Board to actions, or to supervise or direct school activities.
➢ Each member understands that when representing the board at conferences
they will attend meetings and workshops and perform all duties
conscientiously.
➢ Members will avoid and disclose all conflicts of interest or potential conflicts
of interest and will adhere to the Ethics Laws of the State of Alabama.
➢ Members will take no private action that will compromise the school system,
the board, or the administration.
➢ Members will not use, nor expect to use, school district resources for their
own personal interest or their special community interest in a way not
available to the general public.
➢ Members will observe the letter and spirit of the open meetings law.
➢ When representing other community groups, Members will disqualify
themselves from acting on issues that are inconsistent with any position taken
by the Board or that are inconsistent with established Board policy or
procedure.
Tab 100 – Page 6
We will relate to the superintendent and all school system employees as we would
want them to relate to us.

➢ Members will not undermine the authority of the superintendent nor intrude
into the spheres of responsibilities that properly belong to the school
administration - such as hiring, transferring, or dismissing employees.
➢ Members will not lead people to think that they can get them a job or
influence their employment.
➢ Members will avoid committing to constituents that they will solve their
problem.
➢ Members understand that they do not have the right to access student
records or employee personnel files.
➢ Members will seek to keep the superintendent informed of concerns or
specific recommendations that any board member may bring to the board.
➢ Members will be courteous with all district employees and respectful of their
time.
➢ Members will not target school system employee or vendors when seeking
campaign support.

We will relate to fellow board members as we want fellow board members to relate
to us.
➢ Members will speak to each other respectfully.
➢ Members will avoid making statements that are racially divisive.
➢ Members will speak truthfully and will respect confidentiality.
➢ Members will keep all information discussed in executive sessions
confidential.
➢ Members will notify a fellow board member in advance if planning to hold a
meeting in a school in the other board members district.
➢ Members will avoid surprising board members at the board table with items,
issues, information, or motions not expected nor on the agenda.

(Board Approved: April 26, 2007)

Tab 100 – Page 7