BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 501

6120

BOARD POLICY

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

  

The Superintendent, as executive officer of the Board, is responsible for the administration of the schools under applicable laws, policies of the Board and the authority vested in the position. As executive officer of the Board, the Superintendent shall:

 

Board – Superintendent Relationship

  1. Plan for effective Board meetings, provide useful Board background information, make appropriate recommendations, and implement Board action promptly.
  2. Ensure that policies and procedures are developed, recommended, and implemented as needed.
  3. Inform the Board periodically regarding the status of the school system, current educational trends and practices, and state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to education.
  4. Oversee the processing and submission of required and necessary reports.
  5. Follow up on Board inquiries.
  6. Make effort toward improvement when needed.

 

Curriculum

  1. Ensure that a clearly defined curriculum is properly developed, coordinated, articulated, and evaluated.
  2. Recommend to the Board for adoption the texts and supplementary materials to be used in District schools. 
  3. Inform and advise the Board and community about the educational programs and practices in the District. 
  4. Keep up-to-date on educational thought and practices by advanced study, visiting school systems elsewhere, attending educational conferences, and other appropriate means, and keep the Board informed of trends in education.
  5. Ensure that mechanisms are developed and implemented to evaluate student progress.
  6. Ensure that programs are developed and implemented to meet the needs of all students, including the educationally disadvantaged, the gifted, and those having other special needs. 

Pupil Personnel Services

  1. Ensure that an appropriate program of support services for students is developed and implemented, e.g., drug/alcohol intervention/prevention programs, guidance and counseling services.
  2. Ensure that appropriate policies and procedures on student rights and responsibilities and “corrective action” are developed and implemented. 
  3. Ensure that schools appropriately report pupil progress to parents.
  4. Encourage the development of appropriate compensatory and alternative programs for students.

 

Personnel and Staff Relations

  1. Make appropriate recommendations for the hiring of all staff and consultants.
  2. Encourage active participation among all school personnel in the development of District programs.
  3. Assign and transfer staff consistent with District needs.
  4. Provide for appropriate evaluation of staff. 
  5. Ensure development and implementation of an Affirmative Action Plan and compliance with Title IX Regulations.
  6. Oversee and advise the Board on collective bargaining with employee groups.
  7. Ensure that appropriate staff training programs are provided for all personnel. 
  8. Maintain effective relationship with staff at all levels of the organization.

 

Public and Staff Relations

  1. Represent the District in its dealings with other school systems, institutions and agencies, community organizations and the public.
  2. Maintain an effective public information program on District needs and achievements.
  3. Provide regular information to the media and work to establish a positive relationship with representatives of the media.
  4. Secure community and staff involvement, as appropriate, in the establishment and implementation of District objectives and programs.
  5. Work effectively with levy and bond committees.

 

Financial Management

  1. Assume the responsibility for overall financial planning for the District.
  2. Ensure development of a realistic annual budget in terms of educational needs and financial constraints.
  3. Ensure that the District's fixed assets are reasonably protected and accounted for.
  4. Ensure accurate and detailed accounts of all receipts and expenditures are maintained.

 

Facility Management

  1. Direct studies and planning related to school organization, attendance area boundaries, and school facilities requirements.
  2. Plan effectively to ensure that facilities meet student and staff needs.
  3. Ensure that facilities and grounds are reasonably well kept, maintained, and secured.
  4. Maintain policies and procedures that encourage reasonable use of facilities by the community 
  5. Oversee the planning, design, and construction of new and/or remodeled facilities.
  6. Ensure that a clearly defined District safety program is properly developed, coordinated, implemented, and evaluated.

 

Supportive Services

  1. Provide for support services in the areas of transportation and food service.
  2. Ensure that a clearly defined technology program is developed coordinated, implemented, and evaluated.

 

General

  1. Assign appropriate responsibilities to administrators and hold them accountable for accomplishment of specific goals.
  2. Develop annual and long-range goals and priorities.
  3. Ensure that mechanisms are developed and implemented for planning, research, and evaluation in all program areas and departments throughout the District.
  4. Assume primary responsibility for communications with legal counsel.

 

Professional Preparation and Scholarship

  1. Continue professional study and activity.
  2. Use current knowledge on educational and administrative matters.

 

Legal Reference:   RCW 28A.400.030   Superintendent's Duties

 

Adopted   3-12-92

 

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