Bureau of Indian Education School Board Training School Board 101 First, welcome to this session. If you haven’t been in another session that congratulated you on taking on this responsibility, then I’d like to do that. Being a board member sometimes isn’t easy—so thank you for being of service to your community and to the children who will be the adults of tomorrow. People like you make your community stronger. 2016-2017

Welcome “When our children see us work together, so will they. When our children see us change for the better, so will they. How they behave - we should not be surprised where they got it.” --Pauleen Billie, Program Director, Navajo Area School Board Association First--I’d like to congratulate you on being a member of your school board. I’d also like to thank you for your service to your community. I’d like to share this quote I was exposed to several years ago (2006) that inspires me and I hope inspires you in the work you do. Think back to the role models in your life. You are the role models for the grown-ups of tomorrow.

Discussion As a school board member, what is your mission? What are your duties? How do your duties differ from those of the Superintendent or Principal? The school board’s mission is to protect the educational interests of children and the community. The Education Amendments Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-561) and further technical amendments (P.L. 98-511, 99-99, and 100-297) provided funds directly to tribally operated schools, empowered Indian school boards, permitted local hiring of teachers and staff, and established a direct line of authority between the Education Director and the AS-IA. – BIE Website You have an important role as a board member. You represent the people who voted for you to keep the children’s best interests at heart. You represent the engagement of the community to keep the schools working for the children.

Selected Duties Finance Oversee expenditures and operations, subject to audit procedures and to appeals to the Educational Line Officer or Educational Resource Officer. Advise, ratify, reject or amend school financial plans and expenditures, subject to appeal. Sources: PL 95-561, Title IX, Sec. 1009 (h); PL 95-561, Title IX, Part B, Sec. 1129(b) Bureau-operated schools are limited to $8,000 or one percent of ISEP allotted funds (not to exceed $15,000) (39.600). School Board training for Bureau-operated schools is not considered a school board expense subject to the limitation in 39.600 (39.601). As to what you might be paid— Stipend facts: 75 percent of small-district school board members receive no salary. The average board stipend in U.S. Native schools is less than $100 per meeting. (national school board association) Here are some best practices: Agreed-upon board travel and expenses guidelines should be in place. Expenses over agreed upon amount should be voted on at a public meeting. Receipts should be turned in for reimbursement. Reasonable and necessary travel expenses are typically reimbursed: Reimbursement process should be outlined in the Accounting Policies and Procedures or Board Policies. (e.g. per-diem rates, receipt requirements, etc.) Advances for travel should be on an exception basis for employees and Board Members. Now let’s turn to what a school board does— In compliance with Public Law 95-561, school boards establish policies and regulations by which local schools are governed. LIMITATIONS: The Education Line Officer resolves disputes, reviews for compliance and gives technical assistance. Here are the major roles… Budget and Finance Approves the school budget Ratifies, rejects, or amends the local financial plan Determines pay status of teachers May reserve an amount for board expenses Determines tuition for non-eligible students PART 47 UNIFORM DIRECT FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR BUREAU OPERATED SCHOOLS (b) Sign all documents required to obligate or pay funds or to record receipt of goods and services; (c) Report at least quarterly to the local school board on the amounts spent, obligated, and currently remaining in funds budgeted for each program in the educational financial plan. d) Recommend changes in budget amounts to carry out the local educational financial plan, and incorporate these changes in the budget as ratified by the local school board, subject to provisions for appeal and overturn; and (e) Maintain expenditure records in accordance with financial planning system procedures (47.5)

Selected Duties Insurance The School Board should ensure adequate insurance coverage for Board Members. Administrator’s Policy Directors and Officers (D&O) Policy Board members may incur legal liability. The Board should purchase liability insurance and [directors and officers ?] insurance to protect its members individually and collectively for claims made against them as a result of their membership on the Board. Question: What happens if a board member behaves in a way that brings legal problems to the school?

Selected Duties Educational Vision Approve programs to achieve educational standards and student performance. May develop Alternate Educational Standards. PL 95-561, Title IX, Part B, Sec. 1121(b)(2)(d) Now let’s turn to what a school board does— In compliance with Public Law 95-561, school boards establish policies and regulations by which local schools are governed. LIMITATIONS: The Education Line Officer resolves disputes, reviews for compliance and gives technical assistance. Here are the major roles… Alternative Education Standards May determine alternates to Adequate Yearly Progress definition within guidelines Approves language and cultural programs and standards School Programs Approves program to achieve educational standards and student performance Approves Section 1114 Plan (formally CSRP for U.S. Department of Education) May request closure, consolidation or attendance boundaries of school, with tribal approval

Selected Duties Educational Vision “Boards in high-achieving districts exhibit habits and characteristics that are markedly different from boards in low-achieving districts.” - Center for Public Education , Chuck Dervarics & Eileen O’Brien So now let’s get back to the big picture— What makes a school board effective? In a report for the Center for Public Education, writers Chuck Dervarics and Eileen O’Brien identified eight characteristics of an effective board based on a wide variety of cited research: They commit to a vision of high expectations for student achievement and quality instruction and define clear goals toward that vision. They have strong shared beliefs and values about what is possible for students and their ability to learn, and of the system and its ability to teach all children at high levels. They are accountability driven, spending less time on operational issues and more time on policies to improve student achievement. They have a collaborative relationship with staff and the community and establish a strong communications structure between stakeholders. They embrace and monitor data, even when the information is negative, and use it to drive continuous improvement. They align resources, such as professional development, with district goals. They lead as a united team with the superintendent, with strong collaboration and trust. They take part in team development and training, sometimes with superintendents.

Questions for Discussion What are your school’s educational goals? How are they tied to measurable student achievement? What programs are designed to meet those goals? How is the budget designed to support those programs?

Selected Duties Personnel The School Superintendent (“Supervisor”) hires school staff but consults with the school board. PL 95-561, Title IX, Part B, Sec. 1131(B) The School Board approves the Organization Chart and Reductions in Force (Layoffs). All personnel actions are subject to review by the Education Line Officer for compliance with prescribed laws and regulations. The Education Amendments Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-561) and further technical amendments (P.L. 98-511, 99-99, and 100-297) provided funds directly to tribally operated schools, empowered Indian school boards, permitted local hiring of teachers and staff, and established a direct line of authority between the Education Director and the AS-IA. – BIE Website Human Resources The local school board shall be consulted and make a determination on the hiring, contract renewals, contract non-renewals, and discharge, of Public Law 95-561 school education contract employees. Approves content and location of employment advertisements Consults with supervisor on selection of applicants May waive Indian Preference practice Approves Organization Chart and Reductions in Force (RIF) May waive formal degree qualifications for tribal member hired to teach Native culture and language Works with supervisor to extend furloughs due to insufficient funds Approves volunteers with appropriate background checks

Superintendent’s Duties Unless a matter is brought to a full board vote, boards do not get involved in: Student Discipline. Determination of Student Grades. Staff Selection, Evaluations or Discipline. Vendor Selection. Board members should refrain from all discussions and votes about matters involving their relatives or their own businesses.

Selected Board Duties Accountability In general, boards set policy and hold the School Superintendent or Chief School Officer accountable for school success. School board members are prohibited from using their positions for personal gain or purposes in conflict with the interests of the organization. Public Law 100-297 Tribally Controlled School Grants Assurances

Discussion What personal interests of a board member can conflict with the interests of the school? How is school morale impacted when a school board member puts his or her interests ahead of the school’s? Please give a hypothetical example. What should a board member do if a relative is involved in a matter before the school board? The school board’s mission is to protect the educational interests of children and the community.