CODE: 9000
SECTION: BYLAWS OF THE BOARD
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES; ROLE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD
The Board of Education of the Township of West Milford, both as a state agency and as the representative body of the people of the district on school matters, is legally responsible for education in this school district. As the general agent of the state and as a duly constituted local body, the Board is responsible for carrying out certain phases of school operation as mandated by law and has full authority to consider, accept, or reject the provisions of the permissive laws. In all cases where the state laws do not provide or prohibit, the Board considers itself the responsible body for establishing and appraising the education activities.
The Board of Education of the Township of West Milford believes that the schools exist for the primary purpose of providing the best possible education for the children of this school district consistent with the community’s ability to pay. The practical application of this general statement means that each individual must be accepted as he/she is, and then be provided with adequate educational opportunity within the limits of his/her capacity to develop his/her potential to the fullest.
Role of the Board
The general mandatory powers and duties of the Board are defined in Title l8A of New Jersey statutes. Other sections of the statutes state or imply that a local Board of Education has full power to operate the local public schools as it deems fit in compliance with state and federal mandates and pertinent laws of the municipality. The Board functions only when in session.
The West Milford Board of Education views the following as its required functions:
A. Policy Making:
The Board is responsible for the development of policy and for the employment of a Superintendent of Schools who shall carry out its policies through the development and implementation of regulations.
B. Appraisal:
The Board is responsible for appraising the effectiveness of its policies and their implementation.
C. Provision of Financial Resources:
The Board has major responsibilities for the adoption of a budget which will provide for a thorough and efficient education in terms of buildings, staff, materials and programs, and equipment to enable the school system to carry out its functions.
D. Educational Planning:
The Board is responsible for requiring and acquiring reliable information from responsible sources which will enable it and the staff to work toward the continuous improvement of the educational programs of the school district.
E. Interpretation to Community:
The Board is responsible for providing adequate and direct means for keeping the local community informed about the school and for keeping itself and the school staff informed about the wishes of the public. All planning, both that which is and that which is not related to the budget, needs to be interpreted to the public if citizens are to support the school program.
The Board believes that, by diligently exercising these functions, it will be able to provide, within the community's ability to pay, the best educational opportunities possible for our children.
The Board shall exercise its powers through the legislation of bylaws and policies for the organization and operation of the school district.
The Board shall be responsible for the operation of the schools but shall delegate the administration to the Superintendent, who shall be appointed by a recorded roll-call majority vote of the full Board.
The Board may hear appeals or complaints and issue disciplinary action as defined in its policies, negotiated agreements, and in the law.
Organization of the Board
The corporate name of this school district is the Board of Education of the Township of West Milford in the County of Passaic. The Board at its annual organizational meeting shall be organized by administering the oath of office to the newly elected members and shall hold the election of officers as required by law. ( N.J.S.A. l8A:l5-l)
First Reading: December 12, 2000
Adopted: December 19, 2000