CODE: 9140
SECTION: BYLAWS OF THE BOARD
BOARD REPRESENTATIVES
The West Milford Board of Education believes that to serve the best interests of the community's youth it must consult with the staff, the community in general, including parents/guardians, and, where appropriate, the students themselves.
A. Staff Involvement in Decision Making
It shall be the policy of the Board to encourage employee participation in decision making for the school district. Participation shall include involvement in programs and areas of school operation such as:
1. Policy development
2. Administrative rules development
3. Budget planning
4. Facilities planning
The Superintendent of Schools shall develop and use employee channels for the intercommunication of ideas and feelings regarding the operation of the schools. The Superintendent shall weigh the counsel given, especially that given by groups designated to represent large segments of the staff, and shall inform the Board of such counsel in presenting recommendations for Board action.
B. Community Involvement in Decision Making
The Board endorses the concept that not only parent/guardian but community
participation in the affairs of schools is essential if the school district and the community are to maintain mutual confidence and respect and work together to improve the quality of education for all students.
C. Student Involvement in Decision Making
The Board shall consider student opinions in establishing policies, particularly those in the area of student privileges and other areas of student interest and sensitivity.
Students shall be welcomed at Board meetings and granted privileges of speaking in line with those extended to the general public. At the request of students, channeled through the administration, the Board or its designated committee, will sit with student leaders or student groups to discuss new or revised policies.
D. Board Representatives: Student Representative to the Board of Education
In order to increase the communication between students and the Board and to foster the understanding of the student body with regard to issues and concerns that affect the process of education in the school district, the Board shall offer the opportunity for direct student representation on the Board.
1. Selection
a. The Superintendent shall consult with the High School Principal to establish appropriate procedures for the selection of a student representative and alternate to the Board.
b. Student representatives and alternates to the Board must:
(1) Be a junior or senior during the term of office.
(2) Possess a "C" (GPA 2.0) average or above.
(3) Be an elected representative of the student body.
c. Procedure for selection of representative and alternate and persons selected shall be approved by the Board.
2. Guidelines
The student representative and alternate to the Board will be subject to the following guidelines:
a. Representative may attend all regular monthly meetings of the Board.
b. Alternate will attend when the representative is absent.
c. The representative will be excluded when the Board conducts closed Executive Sessions.
d. The representative may give an opinion or present comments but may not be part of the Board's formal voting.
e. The term of office for representatives and alternates shall be one year, which shall run from July 1 through June 30.
f. Student representatives will not have access to records of other students or any other information that is not available to the general public.
First Reading: December 12, 2000
Adopted: December 19, 2000