The Role of the Tulsa Board of Education

	Index
	Board's Role
	Board Organization
	Board Elections
	Patron Concerns
	School Board Facts
	Board Roster
	Questions and E-mail
	TPS Web Page
	Web Author

See disclaimer.

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

What exactly does the School Board DO?*

The Tulsa Board of Education:

• sets the direction of the school district (e.g., district vision and goals),
• employs and the superintendent to run the district and evaluates his/her performance;
• oversees the district budget and district expenditures,
• establishes policy and monitors administrative enforcement of those policies, and
• serves as the final district-level appeal for hearings (student suspensions, employee grievances, and  terminations)

School board members can act only as a collective body and have no policy-making power authority outside of  school board meetings.  Individual board members cannot take action alone.  Decisions outside of meetings are prohibited by Oklahoma's Open Meeting Law.

School board responsibilities go well beyond meetings and hearings.  The Tulsa School Board frequently meets for strategic planning sessions.  Each members also serves on two or three committees to monitor activities in major administrative areas.   Board members also answer calls and questions from community members and the media; visit schools, especially in their districts or for special occasions; review reports and data about district business; keep abreast of local, state, and national issues in education; represent Tulsa Public Schools at community events; and attend training to become better board members. 

The time involved varies with the individual, but Tulsa School Board members usually spend at least five to ten hours a week on Board-related activities.  See Board Organization for further information. 

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