WHAT IS A SCHOOL BOARD?
The Board is an elected governmental body charged with the responsibility of providing educational programs for children who reside within the attendance boundaries of the Lewis Cass Schools. The five Board members are state officials who live within school corporation boundaries and are elected to serve four-year terms.
IS THE SUPERINTENDENT A MEMBER OF THE BOARD?
The superintendent is a professional educator employed by the Board to carry out adopted policies and to be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the schools. The superintendent is not a member of the Board.
The superintendent prepares the agenda, in consultation with the Board president, for each Board meeting. The agenda for each Board meeting is posted for public information prior to the meeting. Once a meeting is called to order, no changes in the agenda can be made without the consent of a majority of the Board members present.
WHAT IS DONE AT A BOARD MEETING?
Board meetings are for the purpose of acting upon recommendations of the superintendent, adopting the annual budget and tax rates, adopting policies, and authorizing the spending of funds. Although any matter may come before the Board, most school-related issues are handled through administrative channels.
WHEN AND WHERE ARE BOARD MEETINGS?
Regular Board meetings are held on the Wednesday of each month at the Administrative offices. Occasionally when special meetings are called, or when a change in the time or place of a regular Board meeting becomes necessary, the change is announced to the public prior to the meeting.
ARE BOARD MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
All regular Board meetings, special Board meetings, and emergency Board meetings are open to the public. On occasion, closed executive sessions are held for the purpose of discussion. No official action may be taken in executive session. All Board action must be taken in public.
HOW CAN I ADDRESS THE BOARD?
Any individual residing within the Lewis Cass Schools or group representing residents of the corporation wishing to make general comments to the Board may do so during the “Public Comments” section of the regular School Board Meeting Agenda. Comments are to be kept to three (3) minutes or less. The individual will be asked to provide name and address.
Any individual residing within the Lewis Cass Schools or group representing residents of the corporation who seeks Board action on a specific issue must notify the superintendent of the request in writing no later than ten calendar days prior to the meeting date. Such requests shall be reviewed and considered by the Board president and the superintendent. The Board president and superintendent shall determine whether the issue is placed on the agenda.