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MSAD#1 School Board
School Board Duties and Responsibilities Maine state law charges school boards with the responsibility to "manage the schools." This is done essentially by selecting a Superintendent and providing him with authority and direction. It is not the duty of the Board to operate the schools but to see that they are well operated. The Board concerns itself primarily with broad questions of policy rather than with administrative details. The application of policies is an administrative task to be performed by the Superintendent and his staff, who shall be held responsible for the effective administration and supervision of the entire school system. Members of the Board have authority only when acting as a board legally in session. The Board shall not be bound in any way by an action or statement of an individual member except when such statement or action is in pursuance of specific instructions from the Board. Board Meetings The MSAD# l Board of Directors meets at 7:00 P .M. on a monthly basis at one of the school district's five schools. Agendas are prepared by the Superintendent and Board Chair. They are published at least four week days in advance of each meeting, and are posted in the Superintendent's office and in each school, and are printed in local newspapers. Standard Board Agenda
Executive Sessions In accordance with the Freedom of Access ("Right-to-Know") law, board meetings are held in public. The Board may go into private or executive sessions, upon vote of 3/5 of the members present and voting, for consideration of certain matters specified in law (such as personnel, student suspension/expulsion, contracts to be negotiated, collective bargaining, legal advice or pending litigation). No final action may be taken in executive sessions. Public Participation Policy Meetings of the Board are public in the sense that they are held in public. This does not mean they are public meetings in the same sense as a "town meeting." There is no statutory requirement in Maine that the public be permitted to speak at board meetings. However, we welcome comments and concerns related to the matters under consideration by the Board, within the guidelines set forth in Board policy BDDH--PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS. Therefore, the Chair will provide an opportunity for public comment under the public participation segment of each agenda. Please be aware of these ground rules from our policy:
Affirmative Action/Nondiscrimination It is the policy of this school system not to discriminate in educational programs, activities or employment practices on the basis of race, national origin, religion, sex, age or handicapping conditions under the provisions of Title VI and IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments.
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