Limits to School Board Access

STATEWIDE
Many School Boards Let Superintendents Control Access
School-board members say they need to know what’s going on in their districts and whether they’re meeting residents’ expectations.
The Olentangy board voted last week to set as policy what already was in practice: School-board members must ask the superintendent if they want to talk to a school staff member, obtain a district record or visit a school.
By contrast, board members in the Worthington district, can call school officials directly. It’s more efficient that way, board member Marc Schare said, because the superintendent would have to ask another school administrator anyway.  He can also visit schools without permission from the superintendent.
It’s better to go into schools without supervision, board members said, so they can speak candidly with teachers and principals and give them a say in decisions.
In most cases, board members said, they get the information they seek from superintendents. But sometimes it takes weeks and several requests to get it.
full article here
 
SHAKER
Board Policy on Board Staff Communication
Shaker seems to be among the districts that have adopted policies that explicitly prohibit interaction between the school board and district staff and that require that arrangements be made with the Superintendent prior to a board member visiting a school.  Board Policy BG Board Staff-Communications adopted in October 1987 and reviewed in April 2008 includes the following statements:

“All communications or reports to the Board or any of its subcommittees from principals, supervisors, teachers, or other staff members will be submitted through the Superintendent.”
 
“….. individual Board members interested in visiting schools or classrooms will inform the Superintendent of such visits and make arrangements for visitations.”
 
We can understand that this policy makes operations simpler for a superintendent and offers a greater degree of control over information.  We don't understand what benefit it offers to school board members or why would they adopt a policy that limits their ability to interact with staff and to fully understand the operations of the school district.  Perhaps it is time for this policy to be re-evaluated.

See the full policy on Board Staff Communication here
 
Policy Manual: Board Governance and Operations is here
 

Mark your Calendar – Upcoming Events
October 9th, 6:00pm - School Board Regular Meeting at Administration Building
October 30th, 6:00pm - School Board Work Session Meeting at Administration Building

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