Facts About the Board of Education
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What are the basic facts about school boards?* A school board is the most democratic agency of government. Elected by local registered voters living within the boundaries of the district, the board of education makes policy to organize and administer local schools Citizens control the school district through their vote. School board authority is limited to official action at meetings. The Board has power collectively; its members have no decision-making authority outside of meetings. Therefore, a member has no authoority individually. For example, a Board member does not have the authority to change in a bus route, settle a dispute over a grade, or get students' schedules changed. As a governing body, the Tulsa School Board sets the direction of the district, establishes district policies, approves the budget and expenditures, and presides at appeal hearings. The school board operates within the limitation of the School Laws of Oklahoma and has strictly defined power. Items must appear on an agenda before the Board may act on them, and Oklahoma's Open Meeting Law requires advance posting. T Oklahoma Law limits school board pay. Unlike most public officials, school board members do not receive salaries for their services. Tulsa Board members receive stipends of $25 per meeting, up to $100 per month, as allowed by law. Tulsa School Board members are elected from seven districts by voters living in a geographically-defined areas within the Tulsa Public School district. School board members seek policies that benefit the entire school district and not "single issue" agendas. Since any action requires a majority vote, the Board of Education works best as a team. Individual agendas get passed only with team support. Board service requires commitment. The Tulsa School Board averages 60-70 meetings each year. In addition, Board members read advance information on agendas, study specialized issues through committees, learn about current issues, appear at school and community events, talk with citizens and local leaders, and attend leadership training. ____________________________ *Based on Your School Board, Your Family, and You by the Oklahoma School Boards Association, with permission.
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