B.O.L.T.S-Board Operations & Leadership Training Seminar

After my first meeting as a Board Member, I attended a one day Board Operations & Leadership Training Seminar.  Board Members, Mr Perotti, Dr. Crandall and Superintendent Uterhardt also attended this training.

During the first session, The Path to Effective Board Meeting Management, I learned that I still had a lot to learn.  We thought discussions could take place during the Superintendent's Report, but we found out that isn't true.

The Board President is responsible to: encourage fair participation at the meetings, give everyone a chance to speak before one of us speaks a second time. give member a chance to speak first, give us a limit of time to make our point and curb our speeches.

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to communicate board decisions to staff and community and see to it that actions are implemented.   The Board Secretary must prepare board minutes, archive approved and signed minutes, and process policy changes.

We reviewed what a Board Calendar should include. Establishing a Board Calendar ensures items are placed on the agenda at appropriate times.  For example:

• Superintendent Review Date
• Board Self Evaluation Date
• Budget Development Dates
• Text Book Adoptions
• Code of Conduct/Handbook approvals
• Annual Goals
• Other Regular items to schedule

The What School Board Members Need to Know About AZ Public Records Law was very informative.  We learn what public records (including electronic, like this blog) are open for public inspection, the nature and purpose which determines the status of the record, how to properly maintain the records, and the retention schedules. For assistance, we were directed to the AZ State Library, Archives, & Public Records.

All records are public, unless they are confidential, private, or in the best interest to not be public.  Confidentially is made so by law, statute (state or federal), or rule (state or court).  Privacy is a protected right under AZ Constitution (Article ii, Section 8) if the disclosure invades privacy and the interest outweighs the public's right to know.  "Best Interest" must balance the adverse impact on government again the public right to be informed.  The burden is on the government to show the public body would be seriously impaired in the performance of its duties. 

AZ does not require written requests for public information, nor does it require identification. However, the requester must indicate whether the records are sought for commercial or non-commerical purpose.