The Jefferson City Board of Education is a representative body elected by the registered voters of
the Jefferson City School District of Cole County. It is the purpose and the role of the Board of
Education to exercise general supervision over the schools of the district and to ensure that the
schools are maintained as provided by the state statutes, the rules and regulations of the Missouri
State Board of Education and/or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
and the policies, rules and regulations of the school district. In addition, the board is accountable
to the electorate and shall be responsible to the educational needs and the imposed financial
constraints of the district.
In conducting its various functions as the legislative and policy-making authority for the district,
the Board recognizes the following general responsibilities as paramount.
► Legislative and policy-making -- The Board is responsible for the development of policies,
rules and regulations to serve as guidelines for the general management and administrative
actions of the district. The establishment of the goals and objectives of the school district
and the methods of financial support needed to reach those goals and objectives are a part
of the policy-making function of the Board of Education.
► Executive -- The Board shall employ a superintendent to serve as the chief executive officer
of the district. The Board shall delegate, in writing to the superintendent, the executive
and administrative duties and responsibilities necessary for carrying out its policies, and
shall hold the superintendent accountable.
► Appraisal -- The Board is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of its policies and
their implementation. The Board shall hold the superintendent responsible for furnishing
complete information necessary for the Board's evaluation of the district's programs.
► Provision of financial resources -- The Board is responsible for the adoption of the annual
budget which will provide financial basis for personnel, facilities, materials and equipment
to enable the district to carry out its educational program. Also, as circumstances require,
the board will assist in the passage of tax levies, determine the necessity for bond-issue
elections, and decide the time, size and sale of school bonds. The board will pass upon
current expenditures and bills previously authorized by the superintendent, adopt
regulations for the internal accounting, deposits and disbursements of school funds, and
promulgate policies for the purchase and distribution of supplies, materials and equipment.
The board shall also be responsible for the disposal of school properties, and shall establish
procedures for the billing and payment of school accounts.
► Staffing and appraisal -- The Board is responsible for employing the professional and
support staff necessary for carrying out the district's instructional program and in
establishing salary schedules, terms of employment, and other personnel policies
districtwide in application. The Board is also responsible for the regular evaluation of its
staff.
► Public relations -- The Board is responsible for providing adequate and direct means for
keeping the district patrons informed about the schools and for keeping itself and the
school staff informed about the needs and wishes of the public.
► Educational planning and evaluation -- The Board is responsible for establishing
educational goals which will guide both the Board and the staff in working together toward
the continued improvement of the educational programs in the district. It is responsible
for providing for an on-going evaluation of the school program as measured through the
goals and objectives set forth by the Jefferson City Board of Education and by the Missouri
State Board of Education.
► Judicial -- The Board is responsible for acting as a court of appeals for the professional and
support staff members, students, and the district patrons when issues involve Board
policies and their fair implementation.
► Auditing -- The Board is responsible for designating and employing a reputable auditing
firm to prepare an annual audit of the financial, attendance and transportation records of
the district. A copy of said report shall be furnished to each member of the Board of
Education.
► Depository -- The Board is responsible for selecting a depository for school funds, in
compliance with Missouri state law.
► Legal counsel -- The Board is responsible for annually designating a competent and
reputable attorney to act as legal counsel for the district. All matters requiring legal
interpretation shall be referred to the Board's attorney, and all written contracts, if
applicable, shall be reviewed by the Board's attorney.
► Properties and plant -- The Board is responsible for making decisions as to the necessity
of construction of new school buildings, as to where, when and in what manner they
should be built and financed. The Board shall employ competent and reputable architects
for such purposes, and shall select and employ competent contractors, promulgating
provisions for proper competitive bidding on major construction projects. The Board shall
provide for custodial and maintenance services in all buildings and grounds, and shall
provide for adequate furnishings for buildings and plants.
► Insurance -- The Board is responsible for providing adequate insurance for all school
buildings and properties, and as may be deemed necessary from time to time, for school
personnel and pupils. Recognizing that the purchase of insurance is a specialized
procedure, the Board believes that the best interests of the district can be served by
utilizing the aptitude and training of an Agent of Record, working under regulations
established by the Board. It is therefore the policy of the Board in its insurance program
to utilize the services of the Agent of Record, who will be selected and will act in
accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the Board.
The Board of Education shall control all aspects of the operations of the district within the limits
of the law. However, the Board will make its members, the district professional and support staff
and the district patrons aware that the Board has authority to take official action only when it is
acting as a whole. The Board shall be the final authority. No section of the policies, rules and
regulations may be construed to limit the statutory powers of the Board to exercise its own prudent
judgment.
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Note: The reader is encouraged to check the index located at the beginning of this
section for other pertinent policies and to review administrative procedures
and/or forms for related information.
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Adopted: 09/10/1990
Legal Refs: § 171.011, RSMo.
Jefferson City School District, Jefferson City, Missouri
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