2:120 - Board Member Development

The School Board desires that its individual members learn, understand, and practice effective governance principles.  The Board is responsible for Board member orientation and development.  Board members have an equal opportunity to attend State and national meetings designed to familiarize members with public school issues, governance, and legislation.

The Board President and/or Superintendent shall provide all Board members with information regarding pertinent education materials, publications, and notices of training or development.

Mandatory Board Member Training

Each Board member is responsible for his or her own compliance with the mandatory training laws that are described below:

1. Each Board member must complete at least 4 hours of professional development leadership training in education and labor law, financial oversight and accountability, and fiduciary responsibilities within the first year of his or her first term.   This requirement is applicable to Board members who are elected after June 13, 2011 or who are appointed to fill a vacancy of at least one year’s duration after that date.
2. Each Board member must complete training on the Open Meetings Act no later than 90 days after taking the oath of office for the first time. After completing the training, each Board member must file a copy of the certificate of completion with the Board. Training on the Open Meetings Act is only required once.
3. Each Board member must complete a training program on evaluations under the Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) before participating in a vote on a tenured teacher’s dismissal using the optional alternative evaluation dismissal process. This dismissal process is available after the District’s PERA implementation date.

The Superintendent or designee shall maintain on the District website a log identifying the complete training and development activities of each Board member, including both mandatory and non-mandatory training.

Board Self-Evaluation

The Board will conduct periodic self-evaluations with the goal of continuous improvement.

New Board Member Orientation

The orientation process for newly elected or appointed Board members includes:

1. The Board President or Superintendent, or their designees, shall give each new Board member a copy of or online access to the Board Policy Manual, the Board’s regular meeting minutes for the past year, and other helpful information including material describing the District and explaining the Board’s roles and responsibilities.
2. The Board President or designee shall schedule one or more special Board meetings, or schedule time during regular meetings, for Board members to become acquainted and to review Board processes and procedures.
3. The Board President may request a veteran Board member to mentor a new member.
4. All new members are encouraged to attend workshops for new members conducted by the Illinois Association of School Boards.

Candidates

The Superintendent or designee shall invite all current candidates for the office of Board member to attend:  (1) Board meetings, except that this invitation shall not extend to any closed meetings, and (2) pre-election workshops for candidates.

LEGAL REF.:       

5 ILCS 120/1.05 and 120/2.

105 ILCS 5/10-16a and 5/24-16.5.

CROSS REF.:        

2:80 (Board Member Oath and Conduct), 2:125 (Board Member Expenses), 2:200 (Types of School Board Meetings)

ADOPTED:           

December 9, 2013