School Board Meeting Procedure

The Flossmoor Elementary School District Board of Education welcomes public participation to its monthly meetings. As your elected representatives to this policy making Board, the School Board appreciates the community's interest and attendance.  Attending Board meetings is an important way to learn about the accomplishments, concerns, and needs of your public schools.  This section explains how the Board functions and how you can be a part of the proceedings.

The Board generally meets for its regular Board meetings on the second Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Normandy Villa building, 41 East Elmwood Drive, Chicago Heights, Illinois.  However, on account of holidays or for special purposes, the Board occasionally meets on other days or at other buildings.  Please check the school calendar or the District web site (http://www.sd161.org) for the time and place of each meeting.  The Illinois School Code, Board Policies, and Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, are the parliamentary authority for conduct of the meetings.  The Board conducts all of its business in public except for executive sessions as permitted under State statutes.

The agenda for each meeting is prepared by the Superintendent and reviewed by the Board President for publishing.  Items on the agenda are grouped through the use of a consent agenda with individual action/information items and new business.  These items are considered by motions, which require voice votes or, if the commitment of funds is involved, roll call votes of the Board.

All Board meetings are open to the public except for executive or closed sessions which the Board may call to discuss collective bargaining, negotiations, acquisition or sale of real estate, personnel matters, pending court proceedings involving the District, or student discipline matters.  Voting on all issues, including those discussed in executive session, is done in public.  Extensive background materials on agenda items are sent to Board members prior to each meeting.   After examining this material, Board members may obtain answers to questions and be prepared to efficiently and expeditiously reach decisions concerning the many items which come before them during the meeting.

ADDRESSING THE BOARD

A Board meeting is a meeting in the public and not a public hearing; therefore, participation by persons in the audience is designated for specific places on the agenda.

Individuals who wish to address the Board on any item not on the agenda may do so during the portion of the meeting designated for “Audience to Visitors.”  If questions are raised, answers will be provided by appropriate individuals within a reasonable time after the meeting.  No immediate action will be taken on an item introduced during “Audience to Visitors” nor will personnel items be discussed in this format.

When addressing the Board, individuals should give their name and address and, if representing a group, indicate the group represented.  The usual time limitation to speak is five minutes for each individual or delegation.  The initial “Audience to Visitors” section of the meeting is limited to 15 minutes.  During the remainder of the agenda, discussion is normally limited to members of the Board of Education, the Superintendent, or those who may be called upon for information.  However, prior to a vote being taken, the President will generally permit input from members of the audience.  The Board of Education encourages communication with the residents of the community.

Should you have specific questions regarding Board policy or actions, please feel free to call any Board member or the Superintendent at the District Office at 647-7000.  You may also communicate in writing by addressing your letter to the Board of Education, 41 Elmwood Drive, Chicago Heights, IL 60411 or by e-mail to board@sd161.org.

ROLE OF SUPERINTENDENT

The Superintendent is hired by the Board as the Chief Executive Officer of the District and the Administrative head of all departments of the District.  The Superintendent may delegate responsibility for the various segments of the educational program, but is responsible for accounting for success or failure of all phases of the educational program.  The Superintendent encourages and maintains communication between the District and community.  The Superintendent makes recommendations to the Board concerning the budget, building plans, location of sites, selection of teachers and other employees, selection of textbooks, instructional materials, and courses of study.  The Superintendent keeps the records and reports required of the Board, and performs such other duties as the Board may delegate.