GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL

Groton, New York 13073

2007-2008 Board of Education Goals

1. The Board of Education is firmly committed to the improvement of student achievement. We believe that every student in Groton can succeed. Therefore, from year to year, we expect to continue to see a steady improvement in state assessments results at all levels, including an increase of students performing at mastery level. The Board will continue to devote resources to student achievement by making this an on-going priority in budget planning.

1. The Board will receive regular reports from the Leadership Team and/or faculty highlighting changes implemented at all grade levels to increase student achievement.
2. The Board will receive, analyze and use a wide-range of data that describes our district’s “measures of success” including student achievement.
3. The Board will receive information and recommendations regarding program plans for both students at risk and students in need of enrichment at all levels.

2. The Board of Education recognizes that clear, open communication is a vital aspect of a healthy, productive organization. Communication efforts will be enhanced by the following:

1. The Board will receive and acknowledge reports of staff and student successes on a regular basis.
2. The Board will continue the Ad-Hoc committee of the Board to develop and implement specific communication enhancing activities throughout the year.
3. The Board will continue to communicate regularly with the community via the district bulletins, the web site, budget brochures, and other mailings.
4. The Board President will continue to respond to questions asked of the Board in the manner deemed most appropriate.
5. The Board will continue to implement our public information strategies and develop a comprehensive communication plan.

3. The Board of Education recognizes its role in leadership and intends to devote time to board development and team building activities throughout the year in order to improve our knowledge base and leadership skills.

1. The Board President will continue to participate in school board president leadership training as offered by the Central New York School Boards Association. Information will be shared with the Board and Leadership Team during Board Work Sessions throughout the school year.
2. Board members will participate in the New York State School Boards Association Convention and/or development workshops offered throughout the year.
3. Newly elected board members will participate in the mandated 6-hour financial oversight, accountability and fiduciary responsibilities workshop as offered by the New York State School Boards Association.
4. The Board and Superintendent will participate in a mid-winter BOE and Superintendent Retreat and an annual summer BOE and Leadership Team Retreat.

4. The Board of Education understands that a safe, efficient and functional facility is key to the success of our students. We know the school facilities are also a key resource for the community, town and village activities.

1. The Board will review current facility renovation projects and develop future facility proposals for the community to review and approve.
2. The Board will review the five year facility plan.
3. The Board will consider facility maintenance and upkeep as part of the annual budgeting process.
4. The Board, working with the administration, will explore cost effective and energy saving strategies.

5. The Board of Education recognizes as the district’s governance body that policy development is a critical responsibility.

1. The Board will work with the administration and the Erie 1 BOCES policy service to review and revise the district policy book.
2. The Board will review, on an annual basis, policy implementation for regulatory requirements or process improvements.

6. The Board of Education clearly understands the need to build a school budget that balances the needs of students with affordable costs for our community.

1. The Board will continue to implement the auditing requirements outlined by the comptroller’s regulations.
2. The Board will continue to monitor district costs and examine ways to increase our efficiency and cost effectiveness.
3. The Board will target resources to the priority areas established by our strategic planning process.

2007-08 School Board Operating Protocol

For the purpose of enhancing teamwork among members of the board and between the board and administration, we, the members of the Groton Central School Board, do hereby publicly commit ourselves collectively and individually to the following operating protocol:

1. Children’s interests come first. The board will represent the needs and interests of all the children in our district.

2. Don’t spring surprises on other board members or the superintendent. Surprises to the board or the superintendent will be the exception, not the rule. There should be no surprises at a board meeting. We agree to ask the board president or the superintendent to place an item on the agenda instead of bringing it up unexpectedly at the meeting.

3. Communication between staff and the board is encouraged. However, board requests for information that will likely require considerable time or might have political implications are to be directed to the superintendent. All personnel complaints and criticisms received by the board or its individual members will be directed to the superintendent.

4. Follow the chain of command. The last stop, not the first, will be the board. We agree to follow the chain of command and insist that others do so. While the board is eager to listen to its constituents and staff, each inquiry is to be referred to the person who can properly and expeditiously address the issue.

5. Own your own issues. The board will not be a ball carrier for others – but rather, will encourage others to present their own points, problems or proposals when discussing issues.

6. Practice the governance role. The board will emphasize planning, policy-making, and communication rather than becoming involved in the management of the schools.

7. Annually conduct a self-assessment/evaluation. The board will address its behavior by yearly self-evaluation and by addressing itself to any individual problems, such as poor meeting attendance or leaks of confidential information.

8. Clearly State Goals. The board will set clear goals for themselves and the superintendent. The board and superintendent will set clear goals for the Groton Central School District.

9. Utilize CEO input. The superintendent is the chief executive officer and should make recommendations, proposals or suggestions on most matters that come before the board.

10. Board acts only as a body. Individual board members do not have authority. Only the board as a whole has authority. We agree that an individual board member will not take unilateral action. The board president serves as the official spokesperson for the board and will communicate the position(s) of the board on controversial issues. When board members serve on various school committees their role shall be defined by the board as silent observer or active participant.

11. Debate the issues, not one another. Conduct at a board meeting is very important. We agree to avoid words and actions that create a negative impression on an individual, the board or the district. While we encourage debate and differing points of view, we will do it with care and respect to avoid an escalation of negative impressions or incidents.

12. Avoid marathon board meetings. To be efficient and effective, long board meetings must be avoided. Points are to be made in as few words as possible; speeches at board meetings will be minimal. If a board member believes s/he doesn’t have enough information or has questions, either the superintendent or board chair is to be called before the meeting.

13. Practice efficient decision-making. Board meetings are for decision-making, action and votes, not endless discussion. We agree to move to the question when discussion is repetitive.

14. Speak to agenda issues. The board will not play to the audience. We agree to speak to the issues on the agenda and attend to our fellow board members. Facts and information needed from the administration will be referred to the superintendent, not to individual members of the leadership team.

15. Executive/closed sessions will be held only for appropriate subjects. Executive sessions will be held only when specific needs arise. Board members will be extremely sensitive to the legal ramifications of their meetings and comments.