- Westonka Public Schools
- Policies
- 8000 Internal Board Operations
POLICY 8110: SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEES
Revised: April 11, 2022
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide for the structure and the operation of committees or subcommittees of the school board.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
- It is the policy of the school board to designate school board committees or subcommittees when it is determined that a committee process facilitates the mission of the school board.
- The school board has determined that certain permanent standing committees, as described in this policy, do facilitate the operation of the school board and the school district.
- A school board committee or subcommittee will be formed by school board action which shall outline the duties and purpose of the committee or subcommittee.
- A committee or subcommittee is advisory in nature and has only such authority as specified by the school board.
- The school board will receive reports or recommendations from a committee or subcommittee for consideration. The school board, however, retains the right and has the duty to make all final decisions related to such reports or recommendations.
- The school board also may establish such ad hoc committees for specific purposes as it deems appropriate.
- The school board reserves the right to limit, create or abolish any standing or ad hoc committee as it deems appropriate.
- A committee of the school board shall not appoint a subcommittee of that committee without approval of the school board.
III. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES
- The school board hereby appoints the following standing committees:
- Finance
- Policy
- Facilities/Technology
- The school school board will establish for each standing or ad hoc committee at the time of appointment the number of members, the term and the charge or mission of each such committee.
- The school board chair shall appoint the members of each standing or ad hoc committee and designate the chair thereof. Appointments will be approved by the school board at the January organizational meeting.
- A committee or subcommittee shall act only within the guidelines and mission established for that committee or subcommittee by the school board.
IV. PROCEDURES FOR SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEES
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Finance Committee: The Finance Committee collaborates with the district’s business services director and superintendent in reviewing and providing feedback to the district on financial issues. This committee deals with matters pertaining the school system’s budget development and related recommendations to the board. The finance committee:
- Monitors the financial affairs of the district.
- Reviews and maintains a long-term financial forecast.
- Recommends to the board any budget modifications based on financial analyses.
- Reviews contracting practices and negotiation strategies.
- Reviews the school system audit.
- Reviews financial analyses provided by the business services director, or other entity at their discretion, and makes related recommendations to the board.
- Performs other such duties as assigned by the board.
The Finance Committee will consist of three school board members including the treasurer who will serve as chair, and meet with the superintendent, business services director and other staff as necessary. Recommendations of the finance committee will be presented to the School Board and the public by the business services director at School Board meetings and minutes of meetings will be kept. Committee meetings will comply with the Open Meeting Law. Finance Committee meetings are not open to the public due to the committee’s involvement with negotiation strategy.
- Policy Committee: The Policy Committee reviews existing policies and writes new policies to provide broad governance guidance and address changes in legislation, statutes, case law and legal decisions, as well as district social and educational issues and performs other such duties as assigned by the board. Board policies act as guidelines for the internal procedures of the district. The committee stays abreast of local, state and federal laws and regulations to determine and apply implications for district policy development and revisions. The committee works closely with the appropriate staff to draft recommendations for new or refined current policies, processes and protocols, that are then brought to the board for formal action. All district policies should be reviewed over a 3-year period.
The Policy Committee will consist of three school board members including a chairperson appointed by the school board chair and meet with the superintendent and other relevant staff on a schedule determined before the start of each school year. Minutes of the meetings will be kept. Committee meetings will comply with the Open Meeting Law. Policy committee meetings are open to the public.
- Facilities Committee: The Facilities Committee will review the facility needs of the school district and the ability of the district to fund projects through existing budgets or bonds. The committee will review the need for maintenance, repairs, improvements and new construction.
The Facility Committee will consist of three school board members including a chairperson appointed by the school board chair and meet with the superintendent, other relevant staff and representatives of the district’s architectural consulting firm. Recommendations of the Facility Committee will be brought to the school board by the superintendent. Minutes of the meetings will be kept. Committee meetings will comply with the Open Meeting Law. Facility Committee meetings are open to the public.
Legal References:
- Minn. Stat. Ch. 13D (Open Meeting Law)
Adopted: