4.2, 4.3 How Schools are Governed

Local Governance is the basic governing unit for education. A board consists of five people, each elected for a four-year term. School Board

The Superintendent Serves as the chief administrator of the school district. In general, the superintendent’s duties include:  Serving as the key advisor to the Board and implementing the policies and guidelines approved by the Board.  Hiring and supervising all employees of the district.  Assuring that the schools are in compliance with the law.  Representing the school district in the community.  Determining the annual budget and adhering to it.

The Superintendent (cont). Superintendents need a great deal of skill to respond to the many demanding groups within the district, such as the School Board, employee’s unions, parents, community groups, media, businesses, etc. It is a stressful position and various studies have reported that the average tenure of a superintendent is three to four years.

District Staff Staff positions in your district: Personnel Director Assistant Superintendent Technology Coordinator Business Manager Career and Technical Director Transportation Food Services Director of Curriculum

Principals: (Building level) Successful principals have superior skills in working with people, problem-solving, and articulating high expectations for students and staff. They are instructional leaders and are actively involved in working with teachers to improve student learning. They know and understand their students; they are visible in the hallways and at school events. They create a positive school climate by assuring the school is safe and orderly and that everyone is moving toward the same important academic goals.

Building Staff Depending on the size of the student body, school sites may have 2 vice principals, librarians, counselors, specialists, and many non-teaching personnel -- and of course, teachers and paraprofessionals!

The Legislature The primary source of educational policy in Washington. They determine the financial support, personnel policies, curriculum requirements, graduation requirements, length of school year, building and construction policies, and more. The governor is an important partner with the Legislature in providing leadership for education. The governor’s office provides policy and budget recommendations to the lawmakers and the governor can veto legislation.

State Board of Education Comprised of eleven members who serve four-year terms. They are not professional educators and receive no salary for their service. They are elected in each of the state’s nine congressional districts by local school boards. The State Board of Education is a policy-making body, whose powers and duties include:  broad authority for the preparation and certification of teachers and administrators;  establishing minimum high school graduation requirements;  school accreditation and private school approval;  pupil safety, such as immunization requirements, emergency evacuation plans;  distributing state matching funds for school construction

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) This is the primary agency in charge of overseeing K-12 education. Led by the State School Superintendent, OSPI works with 296 school districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform for more than one million students.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction In some states, the governor appoints the superintendent, but in Washington, he or she is elected in a statewide ballot. Who is it now? Randy Dorn is our current superintendent. (Visit the OSPI website at for current information.)  px#Dorn px#Dorn

OSPI State Assistant Superintendents There are eight assistant superintendents who oversee Learning and Teaching, Higher Education and Community Outreach, Special Populations, Digital Education, Assessment and Research, Curriculum Instruction, Administration, and Budget and Operations.

Educational Service Districts Nine educational service districts (ESDs) provide service to all public school districts and state-approved private schools. Each ESD may operate somewhat differently, based on the needs of the geographic region served. However, the law stipulates that they are to: Provide cooperative and informational services; Ensure equal educational opportunity; Assist the Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Education in carrying out their responsibilities.

Assessment School Board Flyer Assignment & Reflection piece Due 11/4/2014