Organization of the Tulsa Board of Education

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© 1998
Cathy Newsome. 
All rights reserved.
Last update: 04/03/01

How is Tulsa's School Board organized?*

The Tulsa School Board has seven members, each elected within a separate district of the city.  Board members serve four-year terms, with one or two Board seats coming up for election every year.  The Board's purpose is to provide a free public education to district students.  The Board fulfills this charge mainly by appointing and evaluating the Superintendent.  In turn, as the executive officer, the Superintendent manages the administration and operations of the school district.  

Meetings
The Tulsa Board of Education holds three regular meetings monthly.  The annual meeting schedule is approved toward the end of the calendar year.  In most cases, these meetings occur on:

• the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
• the second Thursday after the first Monday at 6:30 p.m.
• the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.

The Board also meets for for planning sessions, weekend retreats, and hearings.  Special meetings require  24-hour advance notification to the County Court Clerk. 

Most meetings take place at the Education Service Center at 3027 South New Haven in Tulsa.  Nine meetings during the academic year are held at local schools.  The public may attend, except for student hearings.  Monday meetings appear live on Cable Channel 19 and and as taped broadcasts the following morning. 

Agendas
The Clerk of the Board posts agendas for all meetings at least 24 hours in advance, excluding weekends.  Agendas are provided to the County Court Clerk, on the from door of the Education Service Center, and to Board members, principals, district administrators, and the media.   Oklahoma's Open Meeting Law requires that the agenda include all items and actions to be covered in a meeting.  Except for emergencies, the Board may not act on an item not listed on the agenda. 

Officers and Committees
Each year, following the final school board election (in February or in April, depending upon runoff), the Board chooses a President and Vice President from its membership.   It also appoints five staff members as non-voting officers:  the Board Clerk, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Encumbrance Clerk.     

The Board President assigns three board members to standing and ad hoc committees.  Five standing committees meet regularly to monitor district business:  Policy, Instruction, Finance, Facilities/Student Services, and Human Resources.  Staff members attend and provide resources for committee members.   

Committees serve only in an advisory capacity, and members become informed about related business areas.  Members often serve as valuable resources for other Board members and have in-depth knowledge of agenda items and issues in the respective business area. 

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*Portions based on Your School Board, Your Family, and You by the Oklahoma School Boards Association, with permission.