Board Brainiacs
These are the primary duties of a Board of Education
What is to set policy, hire/evaluate the superintendent, fiscal oversight of the school district?
This federal law ensures education for students with disabilities
What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?
A board must have this to take any official action
What is a quorum?
This is the largest source of funding for most public school districts
What is local property tax?
Board members must avoid this kind of conflict when voting on issues
What is a conflict of interest? (DAILY DOUBLE if you can provide an example of a conflict of interest)
This individual is hired by the board to run the district's day-to-day operations
Who is the superintendent?
This 1954 Supreme Court case declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional
Why is Brown v. Board of Education?
This tool helps boards evaluate and set goals for the superintendent
What is a superintendent evaluation?
In NYS, a school district budget exceeding the 2% tax cap must receive this to pass the budget
This document outlines expected behavior for board members
What is the code of ethics (or conduct or board norms)?
Boards must approve this financial plan annually
What is the school district budget?
This state law mandates open meetings for public bodies
What is the Sunshine Law (or Open Meetings Law)?
This annual board event outlines priorities and long-term planning
What is a board retreat or strategic planning session/workshop?
This term refers to funds received from state or federal grants for specific purposes
What is categorical aid or restricted funds?
Board members may not discuss these 3 topics outside of executive session
What are personnel matters, litigation, and student discipline issues?
The term refers to the board's responsibility to ensure academic achievement and fiscal oversight
What is governance?
This term refers to the set of formal rules adopted by a school board
What is board policy?
Board members should review this document monthly to ensure legal compliance and transparency
What are board meeting minutes?
Boards must hold this type of session before approving a budget
What is a public hearing?
A board member violates district policy and state open meetings law by using a group text to discuss the termination of a staff member outside a public meeting
What is improper use of electronic communication to conduct board business in violation of confidentiality and transparency laws?
Board members must avoid becoming involved in this area, which is the superintendent's job
What is administration/management or what is staying in your lane?
This act protects student education records and privacy
What is FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)?
This term describes when a board functions as a team and speaks with one voice
What is a unified governance or collective authority?
Boards use this long-term planning document to fund large capital projects
What is a capital improvement plan?
This is the term for using one's board position for personal gain
What is abuse of power or misconduct in office?