8120 Board of Education
Adoption Date: 12/13/1995 Revised: 08/16/2001
8000 - Internal Board Policies
Internal Board of Education Policies/Bylaws
8120 Board of Education
Legal Status and Membership
The Board of Education is a corporate body established pursuant to the laws of the State of New York. Any liability of the District is a liability of the Board of Education as a corporation and not that of the members of the Board of Education as individuals.
The Lakeland Board of Education is comprised of nine members elected by District residents. Each member of the Board of Education serves for a three-year term. The terms of office of Board of Education members shall be staggered so that three terms shall expire in each year.
Members of the Board of Education have legal authority for the conduct of the School District only when acting as a body at a properly convened meeting. Board members acting as individuals have no authority over personnel or school affairs.
Members of the Board of Education are free to speak to individuals outside of Board of Education meetings but such public expression is not to be construed as Board policy. The Board of Education will not be bound in any way by any individual’s statement or action unless the board of Education, through an adopted policy or by a majority vote of the Board of Education membership, has delegated this authority to the individual member.
Duties and Responsibilities
The powers and duties of the Board of Education are as stated in the Education Law and other applicable New York State Law.
The Board of Education is responsible for School District management and policy-making. The Board shall concern itself primarily with broad questions of policy and with the appraisal of results, rather than with administrative details. The implementation of policies is an administrative task to be performed by the Superintendent of Schools and the administrative staff who shall be held responsible for the effective administration and supervision of the School District.
Members of the Board of Education shall maintain in strict confidence information from executive sessions, unless release is appropriately authorized.
The Board, in exercising its public trust to provide effective and efficient public education, cannot dissipate or transfer its responsibilities.
Conflict of Interest
Board of Education members shall avoid acting in circumstances where their personal interest conflicts with that of the public whose interest they have been elected to represent. The actions of the Board of Education shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the General Municipal Law, Education Law, any other applicable code and its Code of Ethics.
Reimbursement for Expenses
Board of Education members shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing official duties, such as making Board-authorized trips to conferences or attending meetings outside of the District boundaries, upon submitting vouchers and supporting documentation. Board approval shall be required for any out-of-state travel by Board members.
Insurance
The Board of Education will purchase liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance to protect its members individually from claims made against them as a result of their membership on the Board of Education.
The Board of Education shall also be provided the coverage of Section 18 of the New York State Public Officers Law. This coverage shall supplement and be in addition to the coverage available to the Board of Education members by other enactments or from other sources.
Conference and Convention Attendance
In keeping with the need for continuing in-service training and development for its Board members, the Board of Education encourages the participation of Board members at appropriate conferences, workshops and conventions within budgetary constraints.
Policy References
Education Law, §§ 1604, 1604-a, 1701, 1702, 1703, 1708, 1709, 1710, 1804(i), 2101(2), 2105
General Municipal Law §77-b