In New Mexico, education
represents one of the largest, if not the largest, business in any
community. The Citizens in the 89 school districts in the state
elect five to seven of their fellow citizens to represent the public on a
board that has the responsibility of providing the best educational
opportunities possible to all the children residing in the school
district.
The responsibilities that you have accepted as a board member are awesome. Your decisions will affect, very directly, the lives of every individual in your community. Since education is the base of our form of government, the type of education provided will have an impact on our state and nation. This handbook has been prepared not to answer all the problems that you may encounter as a board member, but as a frame work that may assist you in carrying out your responsibilities. The main task the citizens have assigned to you is the education of the children in the community, so all board member activity should focus on good education. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I - NEW MEXICO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION |
CHAPTER II - LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS Section A. - School Board Structure & Variations Section B. - School Board Elections Section C. - Vacancies on the School Board Section D. - Organization of the Board Section E. - Powers and Duties Section F. - Policy Making Section G. - Compensation Section H. - Effective Boardmanship Section I. - Required Board Member Training |
CHAPTER III - SUPERINTENDENT Section A. - Board-Superintendent Relationship Section B. - Expectations Placed on the Superintendent Section C. - Critical Period in Board-Superintendent Relationship |
CHAPTER IV - PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCT OF LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD
MEETINGS Section A. - Regular Meeting Section B. - Special or Emergency Meetings Section C. - Organizational Meeting Section D. - Public Notice Section E. - Agenda Section F. - Order of Business Section G. - Public Address to the Board Section H. - Open and Closed Meetings Section I. - Presiding Officer Section J. - Presiding Officer When President is in Active Debate Section K. - Action by the Board Section L. - Second not Required Section M. - One Motion at a Time Section N. - Substantive Motion Section O. - Adoption by Majority Vote Section P. - Debate Section Q. - Procedural Motions Section R. - Renewal of Motions Section S. - Withdrawal of Motion Section T. - Duty to Vote Section U. - Public Hearings Section V. - Minutes Section W. - Appointments Section X. - Reference to Robert's Rules of Order (RRO) |
CHAPTER V- EDUCATIONAL STRUCTURE IN NEW MEXICO Section A. - Public Education Commission (PEC) Section B. - Secretary of Education Section C. - Public Education Department (PED) Section D. - School Budget Planning Unit |
APPENDIX Appendix A. - Code of Ethics for New Mexico School Board Members |