The Rock Hill School Board held parent meetings in each of our schools this semester. We asked for comments and questions. Over the next several posts, we will attempt to answer the questions received. Today, we'll answer questions concerning the School Board:
What
does the School Board do?
The school board has two primary functions, to hire and evaluate the superintendent and to make district policy which gives the superintendent rules for operating the district to our community expectations. In performing that role, the board wears many of the hats below:
The school board has two primary functions, to hire and evaluate the superintendent and to make district policy which gives the superintendent rules for operating the district to our community expectations. In performing that role, the board wears many of the hats below:
- represent the interests of the entire district when making decisions
- study issues and enact policies
- support employment of the persons best qualified for staff positions and ensure a regular and impartial evaluation of all staff
- determine a school calendar
- determine operating and capital budgets and set millage rate for district
- support legislation and funding which will improve the educational opportunities and environment for students and staff
- study current educational issues and participate in training programs such as those offered through the S.C. School Boards Association and the National School Boards Association;
- make the educational setting (facilities) the best possible for teaching and learning;
- visit schools
- advocate for public education.
When
are school board meetings?
A work session is held on the second Monday of the month, January through December, at 5:30 p.m. in a school or in the district office. The board’s business meeting is held on the fourth Monday of the month, January through November, at 6:00 p.m. in the district office. A tape of each business meeting is shown on Comporium Cable 114 for two weeks following the meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The agenda for the meetings is posted on the school district web site by the preceding Friday. Minutes of previous business meetings can also be found on the district web site.
A work session is held on the second Monday of the month, January through December, at 5:30 p.m. in a school or in the district office. The board’s business meeting is held on the fourth Monday of the month, January through November, at 6:00 p.m. in the district office. A tape of each business meeting is shown on Comporium Cable 114 for two weeks following the meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The agenda for the meetings is posted on the school district web site by the preceding Friday. Minutes of previous business meetings can also be found on the district web site.
Why
can't we watch meetings on the Internet?
The district does have the capability to stream board meetings live at an additional cost. If there is enough public interest, the board may decide to do this in the future.
The district does have the capability to stream board meetings live at an additional cost. If there is enough public interest, the board may decide to do this in the future.
How
can we watch meetings on TV?
Business meetings of the board are televised on the Comporium Education Access Channel, Cable 114.
Business meetings of the board are televised on the Comporium Education Access Channel, Cable 114.
Why
isn't the board in schools more?
Board members visit schools frequently, often at the invitation of individual schools. State law requires schools be visited each year. They enjoy learning about the uniqueness of each school by attending school programs and by watching students perform.
Board members visit schools frequently, often at the invitation of individual schools. State law requires schools be visited each year. They enjoy learning about the uniqueness of each school by attending school programs and by watching students perform.
What
are the board's priorities for this year?
The board has not established a formal priority list for this year. The board does support our shared district performance goals of challenging, engaging, and learning. You can find reference to this in the August 1, 2011 and August 22, 2011 minutes. The dashboard of measures related to this can be found on the district website under Dashboard.
The board has not established a formal priority list for this year. The board does support our shared district performance goals of challenging, engaging, and learning. You can find reference to this in the August 1, 2011 and August 22, 2011 minutes. The dashboard of measures related to this can be found on the district website under Dashboard.
How
do decisions that affect the schools get made?
The board discusses the issues in a collective setting and reviews recommendations from the administration, teachers, parents and students.
The board discusses the issues in a collective setting and reviews recommendations from the administration, teachers, parents and students.
What
is the attack on Public Education?
This response will vary based on who is asked, but the failures of public education seem to be publicized and misrepresented more than the achievements, which is disheartening to teachers who work so diligently with students. Also, teachers get very little input on state laws which govern public education.
This response will vary based on who is asked, but the failures of public education seem to be publicized and misrepresented more than the achievements, which is disheartening to teachers who work so diligently with students. Also, teachers get very little input on state laws which govern public education.
