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School Board Vacancy Announced

By Halley, Heath on August 22, 2018

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    The Putnam County R-I Board of Education; a 7 member board, has a unique situation as it currently has a vacancy on the board.  The resignation from the board was provided in August by thirteen-year member Howard Luscan. According to school board policy 0323, the board will appoint a replacement to serve until the next School Board election, at which time the position shall be filled by election to complete the unexpired term.  

     Board policy 0324 dictates the process for filling the vacancy.  Policy 0324 states that: In filling the vacancy, the Board will inform the community and solicit applications.  In addition, the Board may affirmatively solicit qualified community members to apply for the vacant position.  The Board, or a committee designated by the Board, will screen the applicants and will select no more than three applicants for Board interview.  Candidate interviews and the vote taken to fill the vacancy will occur in an open session meeting of the Board.

     You might ask, what responsibilities does a school board member have?  There are twelve regularly scheduled school board meetings each year. They typically occur on the second Thursday of each month beginning at 6:00 pm. and most generally concluding by 9:00 pm. Routinely, the board approves the paying of bills, reviews/approves policies, procedures and hears program presentations from the staff.          

At times, the Board is required to listen to concerns and complaints and decide what path to take forward in those situations.

     In our district where enrollment has declined from 930 students twenty years ago to enrollment today of 645, fiscal responsibility is a must. The board approves a budget, usually in June, but reviews the revenues and expenditures monthly.   We currently have about 16.5% fund balances (money in savings), the annual budget is in excess of 7.7 million dollars. Obviously, this is not an all-encompassing list of items a school board member nor board consider. I only hope to provide a glimpse of the variety of roles you will fill as a school board member.  

      There are two scheduled special school board meetings each year, one is to set the tax rate and the other is for setting the school calendar. Others may be held as the need arises.  

    Putnam County R-I, at a glance, has 119 employees.  We serve approximately 640 breakfasts daily and over 600 lunches per day.  Our transportation department runs buses over 1,000 miles per day.

     Policy 0310 outlines the general responsibility of the board, it is as follows:   In carrying out its responsibilities, the Board of Education is guided by the desire to use the resources of its community, its staff, and its students to provide the highest quality education permitted by its financial resources. In reaching decisions the Board will attempt in every case to act in the best interests of its students.

The School Board of Education performs three basic functions in the management of the School District:

Legislative

The School Board shall exercise full legislative rule and management authority for the District by adopting policies and directing all procedures necessary for the governance of District educational and administrative responsibilities.

Executive

The School Board shall delegate to the Superintendent the responsibility of implementing all Board policy.

Appraisal

The School Board shall determine the effectiveness of policy implementation through evaluation of school operations, practices and program outcomes. The achievement level of students shall be the guiding standard through which all success shall be measured.

     If interested in being considered by the Board as a replacement candidate, please contact the Putnam County R-I Superintendent, Heath Halley.  I may be reached by the following: hhalley@putnamcountyr1.net ; or by phone at (660) 947-3361 extension 301.