Bylaws of the Board

Role of the Board and Member (Powers, Purposes, Duties)

The Clinton Board of Education is the governing body of the school district. The Board derives its power and existence from the Constitution and General Statutes of the State of Connecticut and the procedures of the Connecticut State Board of Education.

To provide direction for the Clinton Public Schools, the Board, in accordance with the law, shall:

1. Establish a code of rules covering organization, general policies, and regulations.

2. Maintain good public elementary and secondary schools, implement the educational interests of the state as defined in section 10-4a and provide such other educational activities as in its judgment will best serve the interests of the school district.

3. Prepare a statement of educational goals for the school district.

4. Act directly in specific matters where not covered by the code of rules or the administrative instruments provided. This action is either to conclude the items of business or to direct employees in its execution of business.

(cf. 9311 ‑ Formulation, Adoption, Amendment of Policies)

(cf. 9313 ‑ Formulation, Adoption, Amendment of Administrative Regulations (Rules))

(cf. 9314 ‑ Suspension of Policies, Bylaws, Regulations)

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

1‑18a Definitions.

10‑186 Duties of local and regional boards of education.

10‑220 Duties of boards of education.

10‑221 Boards of education to prescribe rules.

10‑240 Control of schools.

10‑241 Powers of school districts.

Bylaw adopted by the Board: September 23, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bylaw revised: August 16, 1999 Clinton, Connecticut

9010

Bylaws of the Board

Limits of Authority

The Board of Education is the unit of authority. Apart from one’s function as part of the unit, Board members have no individual authority. A Board member does not represent a factional segment of the community, but is rather a part of the body which represents and acts for the community as whole. Individually, the Board member may not commit the district to any policy, act or expenditure.

A person elected to the Board must take the oath of office as provided in the General Statutes of Connecticut, Section 10-218a prior to being seated and assuming the position. No individual member of the Board, by virtue of holding office, shall exercise any administrative responsibility with respect to the schools, nor as an individual command the services of any school employee.

A Board member is prohibited from doing business with the school district.

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

10-218a Oath of Office

10-220 Duties of Boards of Education

10-232.1 Restrictions on employment of members of the board of education.

Bylaw adopted by the Board: September 23, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bylaw revised: August 16, 1999 Clinton, Connecticut

9120

Bylaws of the Board

Officers and Auxiliary Personnel

The officers of the Board of Education shall consist of a chairperson and secretary.

The annual election of officers will take place at the first Board meeting in December. It shall be by an open vote roll call with or without nomination, and shall require a majority vote of the members of the Board. The vote of each member cast shall be recorded and listed in the minutes.

Any officer of the Board of Education may be removed from office by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board.

Bylaw adopted by the Board: September 23, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bylaw revised: August 16, 1999 Clinton, Connecticut

9121

Bylaws of the Board

Chairperson

The chairperson of the Clinton Board of Education shall preside at all Board of Education meetings. He/she shall appoint temporary Board committees which may be needed and perform such other duties as may be required by law or Board of Education action.

Bylaw adopted by the Board: September 23, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bylaw revised: August 16, 1999 Clinton, Connecticut

9123

Bylaws of the Board

Secretary

The secretary, through the appointed clerk, shall keep a full and accurate record of the proceedings of the Board, send out notices of Board meetings, and perform such other duties as may be required by law or Board of Education action.

In the absence of the chairperson, the secretary shall conduct the meetings.

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

10-218 Officers. Meetings.

Bylaw adopted by the Board: September 23, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bylaw revised: August 16, 1999 Clinton, Connecticut

9130(a)

Bylaws of the Board

Committees

In order to use the time, effort and expertise of members of the Clinton Board of Education effectively, the Board shall operate under a committee system. The Board will develop various committees – standing and/or ad hoc – to counsel it as one means of discerning the needs and desires of the school district and community.

The central purpose of all committees is to contribute to the educational program by conducting studies, identifying problems, and developing recommendations that will enhance the effectiveness of the decision‑making process. The ultimate authority to make decisions will continue to reside in the powers and duties of the board of education as defined by state statute.

The following rules will govern the appointment and function of such committees:

1. The standing committees shall be established/or abolished through action of the Board.

2. The Board Chairperson annually shall appoint members of the Board to such committees. These appointments shall not exceed the Board Chairperson's term of office as the Board Chairperson.

3. All Board members may apply at its annual reorganization meeting as indicated in bylaw 9120, or shortly thereafter, for three or more committee assignments in the order of their preference. The Board Chairperson will make final assignments to all committees.

(cf. 9120 - Officers and Auxiliary Personnel)

4. The committee shall be provided with a list of its functions and duties by the Board Chairperson.

5. The committee may make recommendations for Board action, but it may not act for the Board.

6. The Board Chairperson and Superintendent shall be ex‑officio members of all committees.

7. Membership of the standing committees shall be dissolved at the end of the Board's year ‑ at the annual reorganization meeting. The membership may be dissolved at any time by a majority vote of the Board.

8. At the request of the Board, the Superintendent may appoint a member of the professional staff to assist a committee carrying out its board approved functions. Such committee assistant shall be responsible to the Superintendent.

9130(b)

Bylaws of the Board

Committees (continued)

9. Arrangements for use of supplies, equipment and personnel from within the school system shall be made through this committee assistant. Expenditures of funds by any committee shall not be made without prior approval of the Board.

Committee Chairperson

Each committee convened shall have a Chairperson appointed by the Board Chairperson. This committee Chairperson will report for the committee. The committee Chairperson shall select alternates on an "as needed" basis.

Committee Chairpersons and the Superintendent are responsible for establishing or coordinating meeting dates and location. In cooperation with the Superintendent, a committee Chairperson may appoint additional members to a committee from the community.

Committee Chairpersons have the responsibility to invite the Board Chairperson, or in his/her absence the secretary, as well as any appropriate school officials as deemed necessary, to committee meetings.

Community Advisors

Soliciting or accepting community advisers to any standing or ad hoc committee will be at the discretion of the committee Chairperson or Superintendent. Committees that deal almost exclusively with personnel or other sensitive matters will not normally accept advisers. In the case where ad hoc assignments are given to any standing committee outside the realm of personnel or other sensitive matters, asking community advisers to work on the specific assignment may be acceptable. However, this matter is still to be at the discretion of the Board of Education.

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

1-21

Clinton Town Charter, Sections 1-9

Bylaw adopted by the Board: September 23, 1992 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bylaw revised by the Board: August 16, 1999 Clinton, Connecticut

9131

Bylaws of the Board

Committee of the Whole

The Board of Education shall act as a committee of the whole in final consideration of all matters.

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

1‑18a Definitions.

1‑21 Meetings of government agencies to be public.

Bylaw adopted by the Board: September 23, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bylaw revised: August 16, 1999 Clinton, Connecticut

9132

Bylaws of the Board

Standing Committees

The Clinton Board of Education may authorize the establishment of such standing committees from among its membership as it finds necessary to study operations in specific areas and to make recommendations for Board action. These committees may include, but are not limited to:

A. Instruction/Public Relations

B. Finance, Budget & Negotiations

C. Policy & Regulations

D. Buildings & Grounds

All standing committees will follow the rules stated in bylaw 9130.

Bylaw adopted by the Board: September 23, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bylaw revised: August 16, 1999 Clinton, Connecticut

9133

Bylaws of the Board

Ad Hoc/Special Advisory Committees

These committees may be formulated by the Board Chairperson or at the discretion of the Board of Education with a fixed objective, for a determined period of time, and to report to the full Board its findings, recommendations, or alternatives. These committees shall terminate once the assigned task has been completed or has been dissolved by the Board Chair. The committee normally shall be dissolved when its final report has been made to the Board of Education.

Committee members shall be appointed by the Board Chairperson. The Board Chairperson and the Superintendent may serve as ex‑officio members of any ad hoc committee.

(cf. 1220 ‑ Citizens' Ad Hoc Advisory Committees)

(cf. 9130 ‑ Committees)

(cf. 9131 ‑ Committee of the Whole)

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

1-7 through 1-21K Freedom of Information Act

1‑18a Definitions.

1‑21 Meetings of government agencies to be public.

Bylaw adopted by the Board: September 23, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bylaw revised by the Board August 16, 1999 Clinton, Connecticut

9160(a)

Bylaws of the Board

Student Representatives on the Board of Education

The Clinton Board of Education recognizes the importance of maintaining open communication with the student body. In an effort to improve this communication, the Board supports seating three students from The Morgan School to serve in a nonvoting capacity on the Clinton Board of Education. These student representatives on the Board of Education will give students, as the clients within the educational corporation, a more effective voice in and at the decision-making level of the school system.

The representatives in attendance will be seated at the Board table at each Board of Education meeting. Student opinion will be solicited to give an added dimension to the Board's decision-making process. The student representatives will not attend executive sessions of the Board of Education nor will they have access to associated backup material.

The following procedures will be observed for the seating of the student representatives:

1. Student representatives will come from the junior and senior class at The Morgan School. One student shall be a member of the junior class and two students shall be members of the senior class.

2. Nomination Process

Nominations to fill a position as a student representative will be through self-nomination. Any junior or senior student who is interested in serving as a student representative is urged to nominate himself/herself by completing an application available either in the Guidance Office of The Morgan School or the Superintendent’s office and submitting it to the Superintendent's office.

Selection Process

a. Board members will review and rate all applications from eligible students according to criteria agreed upon in advance. Names of students will be redacted from the applications.

b. Board members will submit rating scales to the Superintendent who will tabulate the ratings and develop a list ranking the applicants.

c. The Board will interview the three top ranked juniors and the three top ranked seniors.

d. The Board will select the students who will fill the existing vacancies.

9160(b)

Bylaws of the Board

Student Representatives on the Board of Education (continued)

3. After the students have been selected, they will be given an orientation session by the Superintendent of Schools and an officer of the Board or designee.

4. At least one of the three representatives should be present at each regular meeting of the Board of Education. On a rotating basis, one of the three members will be seated at the Board table during each meeting of the Board. If it is not possible for a student representative to be present at the Board of Education, the representative is responsible for advising the Principal and the Superintendent's office in advance of the meeting of his/her absence.

5. The Board of Education reserves the right by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Board members present to dismiss a student due to poor attendance at Board meetings or at school, disciplinary issues, grade average falling below a “C” level, inappropriate behavior outside of school, or other actions that in the opinion of the Board demean the position of student representative and call for the selection of a new member.

6. A student representative should be available for attendance at the Board of Education meeting

with the commencement of the school year.

7. The terms of office for the representatives shall be as follows:

a. The junior representative will serve for one year and may be invited back for a second year at the discretion of the Board. If this representative is not invited back for a second year, the Board may fill the position with a senior who has been selected by the Board from a pool of self-nominated seniors.

b. The senior representative will serve for one year.

8. Names of student representatives will be posted in all schools after selections have been made.

9. A student representative shall:

a. Be expected to attend at least 75% of all regularly scheduled Board meetings During said

meetings, be able to speak on any issue on the agenda or motion before the

Board unless deemed inappropriate by the Board.

b. Be able to recommend resolutions to the Chairperson prior to a meeting for the Board's

consideration.

c. Receive copies of all regular meeting agendas, minutes and other pertinent publications,

excluding executive session minutes and associated materials, when made available to the Board members.

9160(c)

Bylaws of the Board

Student Representatives on the Board of Education (continued)

d. Be expected to attend all the Board of Education meetings and be accountable to the

student body via the student organizations.

10. A student representative shall not:

a. Be able to cast an official vote on any motion or resolution.

b. Be allowed to attend executive sessions, negotiation sessions or personnel portions of

the regular or special meetings of the Board of Education.

11. Only those privileges and powers enumerated previously shall be regarded specifically as such;

any and all other powers and privileges that might be deemed appropriate for the student

representatives shall be decided upon by the Board of Education.

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

9-203 Number and term of members of boards of education.

Bylaws adopted by the Board: August 22, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Revised: December 1, 1997 Clinton, Connecticut

September 2, 2008

9221

Bylaws of the Board

Filling Vacancies

Any vacancy occurring on the Board, shall be filed as specified in the town Charter.

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

9‑204 Minority representation on boards of education.

10‑219 Procedure for filling vacancy on board of education.

10‑156e Employees of boards of education permitted to serve as elected officials; exception.

10‑232 Restriction on employment of members of the board of education.

Clinton Town Charter.

Bylaw adopted by the Board: September 23, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Clinton, Connecticut

9230

Bylaws of the Board

Orientation of Board Members

The Board of Education and the administrative staff shall assist each new member‑elect to understand the Board of Education's functions, policies and procedures and operation of the school district before the member takes office. The following methods shall be employed:

1. The incoming member shall be given selected materials on the function of the Board of Education and the school district.

2. The incoming member shall be invited to attend Board meetings and to participate in its discussions.

3. The incoming member shall be invited to meet with the Superintendent and other administrative personnel to discuss services they perform for the Board and the school district.

4. The incoming member shall be provided with a copy of the Board's policies and bylaws, administrative regulations and copies of pertinent materials developed by the state school board association.

5. The incoming member may attend, at district expense, workshops for newly elected members as approved by the Board of Education.

Bylaw adopted by the Board: September 23, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Clinton, Connecticut

9250

Bylaws of the Board

Remuneration and Reimbursement

Remuneration

Board of Education members shall receive no compensation for their services.

Reimbursement

1. Out‑of‑State Travel

Board members authorized to attend educational conferences out of state shall be reimbursed, upon submitting vouchers and supporting documentation, for reasonable expenditures, transportation costs to and from the destination and registration fees. Board members must have approval in advance from the Board of Education.

2. In‑State Travel

Board members shall be reimbursed, upon submitting vouchers and supporting documentation, for reasonable expenditures incurred in connection with the performance of their official board duties.

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

10‑225 Salaries of secretary and attendance officers

10‑232 Restrictions on employment of members of board of education

Bylaws adopted by the Board: September 23, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Clinton, Connecticut

9271(a)

Bylaws of the Board

Code of Ethics

1. I will be a staunch advocate of high quality free public education for all Connecticut children. In fulfilling my responsibilities, I will think of "children first".

2. As an agent of the state, I will uphold and enforce all laws, rules, regulations and court orders pertaining to public schools. I will strive to bring any needed change only through legal and ethical procedures.

3. I will strive to help create and maintain public schools that meet the individual educational needs of all children regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex, physical condition or social standing.

4. I will work continually to help my community understand the importance of proper support for public education, whether it be in providing adequate finances; optimum facilities, staffing, and resources; or better educational programs for children.

5. I will join with my Board colleagues, staff, community and students in becoming fully informed about the nature, value and direction of education in our current society. I will support needed change in our schools.

6. I will strive to ensure that the community is fully and accurately informed about our schools, and will try to interpret community concerns to the school administration.

7. I will recognize that my responsibility is not to "run the schools" through administration, but as a board member, to see that they are well‑run through effective policies.

8. I will attempt to confine my Board action to policy‑making, planning and appraisal based upon the needs of the district.

9. I will arrive at conclusions only after discussing all aspects of the issue at hand at a Board or Board Committee meeting. I will respect the opinions of others and abide by the principle of majority‑rule.

10. I will recognize that authority rests only with the whole Board assembled in a meeting, and will make no personal promises nor take any private action which may compromise the Board.

9271(b)

Bylaws of the Board

Code of Ethics (continued)

11. I will acknowledge that the Board represents the entire school community, and will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to special interests or partisan political groups. I will never use my position on the Board for gain for myself or my friends.

12. I will hold confidential any matters discussed in Executive Session.

13. I will insist that all school business transactions be open and ethical, and meet the requirements of Freedom of Information Act.

14. I will strive to appoint the best professional leader available when a vacancy exists in the chief administrative position.

15. I will strive to approve the appointment of the best trained technical and professional personnel available, upon recommendation by the appropriate administrative officer.

16. I will support and protect school personnel in the proper performance of their duties. I will strive to ensure that all personnel have not only the requisite responsibilities, but the necessary authority to perform effectively.

17. I will refrain from commenting on specific individual complaints and will consistently direct the complainant to use the established appropriate channels for resolution.

Reference: "Connecticut Code of Ethics for Boards of Education", printed in Responsibilities of Board of Education Membership (revised June 1989)

Bylaw adopted by the Board: September 23, 1991 CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bylaw revised by the Board: February 7, 2000 Clinton, Connecticut

Bylaw reviewed by the Board: August 15, 2005

August 14, 2006

9311

Bylaws of the Board