Liberty County Board of Education

Governance Handbook

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Adopted 2014-2015

Revised 2017

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Standard Operating Procedures

Chapter 2 Code of Ethics

Chapter 3 Civility Policy

Chapter 4 Governance Leadership Team Guidelines

Chapter 5 Contact Information

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Chapter One

Standard Operating Procedures

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LIBERTY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION Standard Operating Procedures

To ensure all Board of Education members have understanding and clear direction

regarding the protocols and operations of the Liberty County School System, uniformed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) have been developed and are herein.

Board Organization

The Liberty County Board of Education is a governing board comprised of seven

members. Six members are elected by and represent six districts, the seventh member, the Board Chairman, is elected countywide. The Board Vice Chairman is elected from the seven members. The elected Vice Chair serves for two years.

Roles and Responsibilities of the School District's Leadership Team

(Chart as provided by Georgia School Board Association)

School Board Superintendent

Citizens

End Results

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Adopts

Beliefs Vision Mission Goals Standards Advocacy

Approves

Approves/Monitors

Votes

RESPECT

Source of Authority (Georgia Constitution)

Focus

(Student Achievement)

Sequence

Policies

Responsibilities

Accountability System (Based on Goals)

Budget

Method

TRUST

Board

Means

2

Implements/ Rules

Strategies Objectives Assessment Evaluation Accountability Advocacy

Implements

Implements/Monitors

Recommends

CONFIDENCE

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Duties of the Board Chairman and Vice Chairman

The duties of the Chairman shall be:

I. To preside at all meetings of the School Board;

2. To oversee all School Board Members' appointments to committees and outside organizations and bring such appointments to the School Board for approval;

3. To serve as an ex-officio member of all committees, and to sign the records of the

School Board;

4. To preserve order at all times and to endeavor to conduct all business before the School Board with propriety and dispatch;

5. To confer with the Superintendent to plan the School Board Meeting Agenda. All board

member requests for agenda items shall be made through the Chairman who is responsible for agenda planning;

6. Represents Board of Education at events or assigns designee

7. To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law or by action of the School Board.

The duties of the Vice Chairman shall be:

I. To preside or act in the absence of the Chairman.

2. Section 3. (a) In the event of a vacancy in the office of chairman of the board of education when the remaining term of office is six months or more, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term at a special election. A special election to fill a vacancy in the office of chairman shall be held and conducted on a county-wide basis. If the remaining term of office is less than six months, the vice chairman shall serve as chairman for the remaining term of office, and the remaining members of the board of education shall appoint a person from the county at large to serve as a member of the board of education until the chairman elected at the next following general election takes office. No. 778 (House Bill No. 1237) AN ACT

3. To perform such other duties prescribed by law or by action of the School Board.

Board Meetings Schedule and Structure

Prior to January of each year, the Board of Education approves a master calendar of Board Meetings and Work Sessions for the ensuing calendar year. The calendar shall be posted on the Liberty County School System website and made a part of the BOE documents available on Board.

The Board usually conducts one business meeting and one work session per month, except for

the months of November, December and June when the Board usually meets once a month for the monthly business meeting. Board Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 5:30 P.M. Work sessions are held the 4th Tuesday of the month at 9:00 A.M. All meetings of the Board are held at the offices of the Board of Education unless otherwise designated.

At every business meeting, the current practice is for a period of time to be set-aside for

"Public Participation" for residents to address the Board on matters of interest or concern. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker. Public input on policy, program, and practices is encouraged, but Public Comment is not the appropriate venue to address specific student or

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employee concerns. Personnel concerns are confidential matters and should be referred to the Superintendent of Schools or processed through available channels. Speakers are required to sign in so as to assure the correct spelling of one's name and the subject matter being commented on for the Board minutes. Comments from the audience will be heard from the first five participants with a time limit of three minutes per speaker. If more than three persons sign-up to discuss the same topic, only two will be allowed to address the board with a three minute limit per speaker. Discussion is not held between the board and participants. The Superintendent of Schools or a designee to discuss their comments will contact audience participants.

The advance meeting agenda shall be posted within 24 hours of the Board Meeting or Work

Session. The agenda shall indicate if an item is intended for action (A), and/or information (I). Notwithstanding the designation, any Member can make a motion germane to an agenda item before the Board. Agenda items are due to the chair no later than one week prior to the 4th Tuesday work session. The agenda may be amended prior to the formal adoption of the agenda during the respective meeting as allowed by Robert Rules of Order.

Meetings are to begin promptly at the starting time on the agenda, provided a quorum is

present. When a meeting is held in open session, the general public and media are entitled to attend.

Closed/Executive Sessions

The Board of Education is authorized to meet in closed session and retreats to discuss personnel matters, acquisition of real estate, pending litigation, collective bargaining issues, matters protected from public disclosure by law, and to obtain legal advice. Closed/Executive sessions may be scheduled at the start, lunch hour, and/or end of the meeting. The Open Meetings Act requires that, before meeting in closed session, the Board must give reasonable advance notice of the closed session. Immediately prior to convening a closed session for the current Board meeting, the Chairman shall conduct a recorded vote on closing the session. Further, after a closed session is held, the Board, as part of its minutes, must also provide a report concerning the closed session's topic(s) of discussion. Additional items may be added to the closed session agenda at the request of two board members at the beginning of the regular meeting when approving the meeting agenda or as the members of the board vote to go into a closed session. Board Members and staff are expected to maintain the confidentiality of closed session discussions at all times.

Emergency Meetings

Emergency Meetings may be called by the Chairman or at the written request of a majority of

the Board, with the purpose given in the call of the meeting.

Special Board Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the Chairman of the Board or at the written request of a majority of the Board, with the purpose given in the call of the meeting, to be provided as soon as feasible.

Meetings via Teleconference O.C.G.A. 50-14-1 (g)

Under circumstances necessitated by emergency conditions involving public safety or the preservations of property or public services, agencies or committees thereof not otherwise permitted by subsection (f) (agencies with state-wide jurisdiction) of this Code section to conduct meetings by teleconference may meet by means of teleconference so long as the notice required by this chapter is provided and means are afforded for the public to have simultaneous access to the teleconference meeting. On any other occasion of the meeting of an agency or committee thereof, and so long as a quorum is present in person, a member may participate by teleconference if necessary due to reasons of health or absence from the jurisdiction so long as the other requirements of this chapter are met. Absent emergency

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conditions or the written opinion of a physician or other health professional that reasons of health prevent a member's physical presence, no member shall participate by teleconference pursuant to this subsection more than twice in one calendar year.

Meeting Materials

Before every business meeting, packets of Board agenda materials are prepared for Board Members, key staff, and to the media upon request. Board packet materials are not released to the public until Board Members have received them. Board meeting packets for the open sessions are available online (via the Georgia School Boards eBoard platform) on Fridays prior to Board Meetings and work sessions, Previous minutes, agendas, and documents from prior meetings may also be found on eBoard.

Meeting Decorum

Under state law, the Board of Education has the authority to adopt and enforce reasonable

rules regarding the conduct of persons attending its meetings, as well as the videotaping, televising, photographing, broadcasting, or recording of its meetings. If the Chairman or presiding officer believes that the behavior of an individual is disrupting an open session, the presiding officer may have the individual removed from the premises. Unless the members of the Board of Education or its agents acted maliciously, they are not liable for having an individual removed from the meeting.

Board Retreats

The Board usually schedules one or more retreats a year for team building, priority setting,

and discussion of Board operations and/or to prepare for contract negotiations. The retreats will be held in compliance with the Georgia Open Meetings Act, as required by law.

Record of Board Meetings

The Board of Education maintains records of meetings as follows:

1. Records of the Board's business meetings and Work Sessions are retained in the Board Office and online. All Board business meetings are recorded and copies of recordings are maintained on file.

2. The minutes of all public meetings contain actions taken by the Board and a summary of the Board's discussion. A Board Member may specifically request that a statement on a subject be reflected in the minutes.

3. Minutes of closed sessions include a list of each item considered, the action taken, and votes that are recorded after returning to open session.

4. Minutes of meetings open to the public are available as a matter of public record on eBoard, as well as in the Board Office.

5. Videotape of meetings.

Superintendent's Evaluation Process

In accordance with Georgia Code - Education - Title 20, Section 20-2-210, all personnel employed by local units of administration, including school superintendents, shall have their performance evaluated annually by appropriately trained evaluators. All such performance evaluation records shall be part of the personnel evaluation file and shall be confidential. In the case of local school superintendents, such evaluations shall be performed by the local board of education. Certificated professional personnel who have deficiencies and other needs shall have professional development plans designed to mitigate such deficiencies and other needs as may have been identified during the evaluation process.

Evaluation of a superintendent's performance is one of a school board's most important

responsibilities. Evaluation requires defining what is expected of the superintendent. It requires identifying

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and prioritizing the district's goals. Done correctly, an evaluation is useful governance tool that helps drive school improvement. In fact, a high quality evaluation process helps develop positive school board- superintendent relationships, clarifies leadership roles, creates common understandings, and provides a mechanism for satisfying the public's desire for accountability.

In January following election years, newly elected board members must complete the required

on-line Superintendent Evaluation Training through Georgia School Board Association no later than January 31st

. Newly elected board members may complete the training, once elected, prior to January 1st and taking office if they so desire.

At the April work session of each year, members of the Governance Team will receive the

Governance Leadership Team Self-Assessment and board members will receive the rating scale for the superintendent's evaluation These completed documents are due to the board chairman at the May board meeting. The Superintendent Evaluation will be completed at the May work session each year. After the completion of the Superintendent Evaluation, the board members and the superintendent will write the goals for the Superintendent Evaluation Instrument for the up-coming year.

Communications with Media

The Liberty County School System Department of Communication serves to facilitate

communication between the district and the public. The efforts of the Communications Staff are focused on sending and receiving messages about academic standards, student achievement, and opportunities for parental involvement, policies, procedures, and educational related events within the district.

A variety of methods are used for sharing messages throughout the district. Press releases

are submitted regularly to the local news media. Information is placed on the district web site, school marquees, and district and school newsletters. A telephone notification system is also used to announce important events throughout the school year.

Use of Social Media

The district recognizes the use of online social media networks as a communications, networking,

and e-learning tool. As a result, the District encourages the Board's use of innovative social tools for e- learning and collaboration purposes. However, public social media networks should not be used by members of the Board of Education for any reason other than for fulfilling its responsibility for effectively communicating in a timely manner with the general public. Members are discouraged from expressing personal opinions, sharing personal information, and engaging in less than appropriate exchanges with social media friends and followers.

Visits to School Campuses

Board Members are strongly encouraged to visit schools and attend community events to

better understand the individuality of schools and the communities in which they are located. The full board will attend scheduled school visits made on a rotating basis each year. In the event of circumstances that would preclude a Board Member from following the prescribed schedule of school visits, the said Member shall communicate the circumstances to the Board Chair. The Member will be afforded one day during the school year to visit schools previously scheduled for full- board visitation. The superintendent or his/her designee will accompany the Member in like manner as he/she does the full board for annually scheduled visits.

When afforded the opportunity, Board Members, as a matter of courtesy, working through

the Superintendent's Office, should schedule visits so as to provide the school principal the courtesy of optimum advance notice, to avoid potential conflicts with student testing, staff evaluations, or other critical activity necessitating the attention or presence of the school principal. In the event of such conflict, the superintendent will schedule the visit for a mutually convenient time.

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Volunteering

When asked or choosing to volunteer in schools Board Members should conduct themselves in a manner befitting a Member of the Board and refrain from any and all of the following:

1. Involvement with the school's day-to-day operation. 2. Discussing Board business and related matters. 3. Engaging in conversations from a Board member's perspective. 4. Functioning outside of the intended purposes, volunteerism.

As a result of the responsibilities inherent in their positions, Board members are discouraged from

volunteering on a regular basis to avoid becoming an encroachment or intrusion.

Access to District Email and Technology

The Liberty County School System is pleased to bring email and technology access to our internal stakeholders to include Board of Education Members. Our goal in providing this service is to promote educational excellence by facilitating communications for resource sharing and innovation. Guidelines and Procedures for email and technology use are clearly stated in the school system's Technology Acceptable Use Policy/Procedures located on the District's website at: http://1iberty.k12.ga.us/ourpages/auto/2013/4/9/50587699/Acceptable%20Use%20Policy.pdf

All terms and conditions as stated in this document are applicable to the Liberty County

School System. These terms and conditions reflect the entire agreement of the parties and supersede all prior oral or written agreements and understanding of the parties. These terms and conditions shall apply to the laws of the State of Georgia and the United States of America.

Access to Legal Counsel

Pursuant to State law the Board has hired legal counsel to represent its interests in legal

matters that affect the Board. Pursuant to policy, the school board's attorney represents its interests working in tandem with the Superintendent of Schools. Board members have access to the Board Attorney through the Board Chair.

Board of Education and School System Staff Relations

Other than the Superintendent of Schools, the only staff reporting directly to the Board shall be the Executive Assistant to the Board of Education. Both serve at the pleasure of the Board. The superintendent receives specific assignments from the Board Chair. The Executive Assistant to the Board of Education receives specific assignments from the Superintendent. Both acquit the responsibilities of their position and provide general support to Board of Education Members to facilitate the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.

Requests by Board Members for specific information, data, and/or reports from administration

staff - whether as a follow-up to an item discussed at a prior board meeting or a separate matter of interest to an individual member - shall be made through the Superintendent, but not directly to administration staff. By doing so, requests may be coordinated, duplication can be avoided, and the Superintendent can best determine the appropriate use of staff in responding timely to such requests. Within reason, and excluding individual student or personnel records, the Superintendent will be responsive to all reasonable requests. If a request is deemed overly time consuming or unreasonable, the matter will be brought to the attention of the Board Chair for consideration by the full Board. Materials and information requested by individual members will be distributed to the entire Board.

Individual Board Members shall not make requests for printing or media whether for use in

their capacity as Board Members or in the community, without bringing such request to the full Board for its approval. The Board must refrain from directing and contacting any and all other staff members and honor the unique link to others employed by the school system through the Superintendent.

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Board Member Compensation, Expenses, and Equipment

Be it Enacted By the General Assembly of Georgia: Section 1.

An act creating the Board of Education of Liberty County, approved December 10, 1986 (Ga. L. 1993, p. 4771), as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 5, 2005 (Ga. L 2005, p. 3661), is amended by revising subsection (g) of Section 2 as follows: "(g) The chairperson and members of the board of education shall receive the sum of $500.00 per month and the chairperson shall receive an additional sum of $210.00 per month. In addition, each member of the board of education may, after prior approval by the chairperson or the chairperson may after prior approval by one board member, seek reimbursement for actual reasonable expenses necessarily incurred in connection with travel outside of Liberty County on official business for the county as required by the duties of his or her office."

Procedures and Guidelines

OBJECTIVE: The following procedures and guidelines are to govern not only the compensation and expenses due and owing Board Members in the course of discharging their responsibilities, but to ensure that as expenditures are made, they are done in a cost effective, prudent, and reasonable manner.

I. Expenses related to Board Member attendance at approved conferences (e.g. Georgia School

Boards Association or National School Boards Association), such as registration, travel fare, and hotel, shall be handled exclusively by the Executive Assistant to the Board in advance. Airfare shall be at a reasonable coach class rate.

2. No travel or meal expenses will be assumed for spouses or family members who accompany Board Members to conferences or events. In the event that such expenses are co-mingled, Board Members shall reimburse LCSS for their spouse's/family member's additional expense.

3. Non-Reimbursable Expenses (this list is not all inclusive) • Entertainment while in attendance at a conference (e.g., movies; plays; concerts; tours) • In-room movies at hotel • Mini-bars • Laundry and related services • Membership fees for airline/frequent flier clubs • Pet care • Air flight travel insurance • Parking tickets/traffic violations • Clothing/personal items • Airline upgrades

7. Members shall be reimbursed for other expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, other than personal-related expenses, as approved by the Board Chair

8. Upon assumption of the office of Board Member, the Chief Information Officer or his or her designee shall arrange for a Technology Package to include a LCSS cell phone, laptop computer, and iPad to be provided to the Member for use in the course of executing their duties as a Board Member. All items issued to Board Members remain the property of the Liberty County School System and reverts to LCSS at the end of the Member's term of office.

DISPUTES: Should a question arise whether an expense is covered under these provisions, the matter shall be referred to the Board Chair for a ruling, and if unresolved by the Chair, referred to the GSBA Ethics Panel for a ruling.

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School Board Memberships

To ensure that Board Members are aware of best practices, trends in education, and issues facing school boards and districts statewide and nationwide, the Liberty County Board of Education has maintained memberships in organizations that magnify its influence and knowledge. From time to time, the Board of Education determines which organizations can best serve its purposes. Currently, the Board of Education has memberships in the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA), First District RESA, National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS), Military Impacted School Association (MISA), Liberty County Chamber of Commerce and the Charter Schools Commission.

Town Hall Meetings Board members will be given access to staff members twice a year for town hall meetings.

Policy Development

The Board of Education has a policy and procedure that provides a format for policy

development. Discussion of a new or revised policy usually occurs over the course of two meetings. The procedure includes a draft policy prepared by the Superintendent's staff; the scheduling and first reading of a draft policy at a public Board meeting; a second reading and consideration of the draft policy at a subsequent public meeting of the Board followed by adoption of the policy. [See Policy BD]

Regulations to implement policy are within the domain of the Superintendent to adopt. All

adopted policies and regulations will be posted on the Board's website.

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Conclusion

The role of the school board is as important as ever. Its decisions impact everything related to school operation. The Board of Education's authority encompasses a wide range of Executive, Legislative, and Quasi-Judicial responsibilities.

As stated succinctly by the National School Boards Association, in a brochure published by its

Center for Public Education, the following are the qualities, skills, and experience that are useful for a School Board Member to possess:

• A vision and goals for high academic achievement for all students • an ability to inspire parents and other stakeholders to have confidence in the local

public schools • an understanding that the board's role is about the big picture-that is setting the

direction for the district, and providing oversight and accountability, rather than day-to-day management

• an ability to work effectively with the rest of the Board • the commitment to do what is right for all children, even in the face of opposition.

Hopefully, as individuals are elected to The Liberty Board of Education, these Standard

Operating Procedures will help them better understand their authority and responsibilities so as to display the foregoing qualities, skills, and experience.

Chapter Two

Code of Ethics

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Liberty County Board of Education

Code of Ethics

The Liberty County Board of Education desires to operate in the most ethical and conscientious manner possible and to that end the board adopts this Code of Ethics and each member of the board agrees that he or she will:

Domain I: Governance Structure

1. Recognize that the authority of the board rests only with the board as a whole and not with the

individual board members and act accordingly.

2. Support the delegation of authority for the day-to-day administration of the school system to the local superintendent and act accordingly.

3. Honor the chain of command and refer problems or complaints consistent with the chain of command.

4. Recognize that the local superintendent should serve as secretary, ex-officio to the board and should

be present at all meetings of the board except when his or her contract, salary or performance is under consideration.

5. Not undermine the authority of the local superintendent or intrude into responsibilities that properly

belong to the local superintendent or school administration, including such functions as hiring, transferring or dismissing employees.

6. Use reasonable efforts to keep the local superintendent informed of concerns or specific

recommendations that any member of the board may bring to the board.

Domain II: Strategic Planning:

1. Reflect through actions that his or her first and foremost concern is for the educational welfare of children attending schools within the school system.

2. Participate in all planning activities to develop the vision and goals of the board and the school system.

3. Work with the school board and the local superintendent to ensure prudent and accountable uses of

the resources of the school system.

4. Render all decisions based on available facts and his or her independent judgment and refuse to surrender his or her judgment to individuals or special interest groups.

5. Uphold and enforce all applicable laws, all rules and regulations of the State Board of Education and

the board and all court orders pertaining to the school system.

Domain Ill: Board and Community Relations

1. Seek regular and systemic communications among the board and students, staff and the community.

2. Communicate to the board and the local superintendent expressions of public reaction to board policies and school programs.

Domain IV: Policy Development

1. Work with other board members to establish effective policies for the school system.

2. Make decisions on policy matters only after full discussion at publicly held board meetings.

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3. Periodically review and evaluate the effectiveness of policies on school system programs and performance.

Domain V: Board Meetings

1. Attend and participate in regularly scheduled and called board meetings.

2. Be informed and prepared to discuss issues to be considered on the board agenda.

3. Work with other board members in a spirit of harmony and cooperation in spite of differences of

opinion that may arise during the discussion and resolution of issues at board meetings.

4. Vote for a closed executive session of the board only when applicable law or board policy requires consideration of a matter in executive session.

5. Maintain the confidentiality of all discussions and other matters pertaining to the board and the school

system, during executive session of the board.

6. Make decisions in accordance with the interests of the school system as a whole and not any particular segment thereof.

7. A local board of education shall not adopt or follow any code of ethics which prevents the members of

such board from discussing freely the policies and actions of such board outside of a board meeting. This shall not apply to any matter of matters discussed in executive session or which are exempt from disclosure under Code Section 50-18-72.

8. Abide by all decisions of the board.

Domain VI: Personnel

1. Consider the employment of personnel only after receiving and considering the recommendation of the

local superintendent.

2. Support the employment of person's best qualified to serve as employees of the school system and insist on regular and impartial evaluations of school system staff.

3. Comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and all board policies regarding employment of

family members.

Domain VII: Financial Governance

1. Refrain from using the position of board member for personal or partisan gain or to benefit any person or entity over the interest of the school system.

Conduct as a Board Member

1. Devote sufficient time, thought and study to the performance of the duties and responsibilities of a

member of the board.

2. Become informed about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed education and training.

3. Communicate in a respectful professional manner with and about fellow board members.

4. Take no private action that will compromise the board or school system administration.

5. Participate in all required training programs developed for board members by the board or the State

Board of Education.

6. File annually with the local superintendent and with the State Board of Education a written statement certifying that he or she is in compliance with this Code of Ethics.

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Conflict of Interest

1. Announce potential conflicts of interest before board action is taken.

2. Comply with the conflicts of interest policy of the board, all-applicable laws and Appendix B of the Standards document.

Upon a motion supported by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, the board may choose to conduct a hearing concerning a possible violation of this Code of Ethics by a member of the board. The board member accused of violating this Code of Ethics will have thirty (30) days' notice prior to a hearing on the matter. The accused board member may bring witnesses on his or her behalf to the hearing, and the board may elect to call witnesses to inquire into the matter. If found by a vote of two-thirds of all the members of the board that the accused board member has violated this Code of Ethics, the board shall determine an appropriate sanction. A board member subject to sanction may, within thirty (30) days of such sanction vote, appeal such decision to the State Board of Education in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education. A record of the decision of the board to sanction a board member for a violation of this Code of Ethics shall be placed in the permanent minutes of the board.

Chapter Three

Civility Policy

Code of Civility

As a member of the Liberty County Board of Education, I will strive to improve education, and to that end I will:

Attend all regularly scheduled board meetings insofar as possible, and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings;

Recognize that I should endeavor to make policy decisions only after full discussions at publicly held board meetings;

Clearly distinguish opinions from facts. And, render all decisions based on the available and verifiable facts and my independent judgment, and reuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups;

Ensure that all sides have a fair opportunity to represent their respective positions;

Encourage others to become informed and involved. Seek systematic communications between the board and parents, students, staff, and all elements of the community;

Respect all board members through words and actions; demonstrate respect for the diverse views of all citizens in our increasingly multicultural society;

When advocating for a belief of position, ensure that criticism of opposing viewpoints is expressed as criticism of a position not a person;

Be a positive role model for public discourse - practice courtesy, politeness, and consideration;

Engage in respectful non-judgmental listening;

Exercise my rights and responsibilities as a citizen;

While working toward the will of the majority, respect the right of the minority. And, recognize the importance of achieving consensus as an important tool in community building;

Inform myself about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed information;

Take no private action that will compromise the board and administration, and

Remember always that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending the Liberty County Schools.

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Chapter Four

Governance Leadership Team Guidelines

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LIBERTY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Governance Leadership Team Guidelines for Operation and Communication

Mission:

The Mission of the Liberty County Public School System is to provide all students an education, which promotes excellence, good citizenship, and a love for learning.

Vision:

All students will receive a high quality education providing them the knowledge and skills to be successful, contributing members of a global society.

Standards for Governance Leadership Team Operations

The Liberty County Board of Education recognizes that they must act as a Committee of the whole, therefore, protocols are not only necessary, but must be established in order to maintain effective communication between Superintendent, Board, and all constituent groups of the school system.

a. The Governance Leadership Team (GLT) will develop and support implementation of a

communication plan aligned with the school system's strategic plan. b. The Board (who collectively make up one boss) recognizes that the Superintendent is the only

employee of the district who reports to the GLT. c. The Board recognizes and fully supports that operational issues are the responsibility of the

superintendent and school personnel.

Standards for Governance Leadership Team Conduct

In accordance with the LCSS governance structure, GLT members will:

a. Honor the chain of command, refer problems or complaints consistent with the chain of command, and avoid discussing Board issues with the Board's attorneys.

b. Uphold the Constitution, laws, and regulations of the United States of Georgia and all governments therein and never are a party to their evasion.

c. Never engage in conduct which is unbecoming to a member or which constitutes a breach of public trust.

d. Communicate any concerns about the Superintendent's performance or the performance of any staff member to the Superintendent.

To maintain appropriate meeting decorum, GLT members will:

a. Look to the Board Chair to be recognized to speak b. Be respectful of each other c. Be mindful of airtime and not monopolize the meeting d. Be mindful of their body language by engaging in active and respectful listening e. Model professionalism in appearance and conduct f. Not engage in side discussions g. Work with other members to establish effective policies for the system h. Refrain from disparaging or disrespectful remarks about another Board member i. Redirect questions or comments to the chair j. Public comments are expected. This is not meant as a question/answer period k. Not violate the Open Meeting Act I. Use Board meetings to discuss Board issues, current or upcoming, with the community, not

email, social media, or other channels. m. Use of electronic devices for personal or business use by board members should be

avoided during board meetings, work sessions, and training sessions. If the need arises for personal or business use of electronic devices during board meetings, the use should not be disruptive. Board members shall abide by the IFDG (Internet accessible use) and IFBGC (employees computer and internet)

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Standards for Governance Leadership Team Communication

Superintendent Communication With and To GLT Members

The Superintendent will keep the Board fully informed as necessary to effectively fulfill BOE responsibilities. Information will be communicated through the Office of Superintendent via the following:

a. Monthly Board meeting and Board Work Session b. Periodic written updates c. Periodic phone check-ins d. Periodic one-on-one face-to-face meetings, as necessary e. Urgent calls or LSCC 411 Alert (emails to alert you to events you're likely to hear about through

the media or from your neighbors) f. Information requested by any single member (to be distributed to all members) g. Planning meetings with Board Chairperson/Vice Chairperson

Governance Leadership Team Communication among Members

In support of effective communication among members, the GLT will:

a. Communicate to the Board and superintendent expressions of public reaction to Board policies and school programs

b. Maintain open lines of communication with the Superintendent

Governance Leadership Team Communication To and With the Community

In an effort to maintain favorable Board and community relations, GLT members will:

a. Be a good listener to constituent concerns b. Refer employee concerns to the point of the program. Inform the Superintendent to ensure

proper handling of the issue. Have constituents address their concerns at the lowest level possible (not starting at the top with the Board) and through the appropriate chain of command

c. Remember that as a Board member, electronic communication (private and/or district) is public information

d. Maintain fidelity to fellow Board members, board policies and the Governance Team standards at all times.

Governance Leadership Team and Superintendent Relations

GLT members will:

a. Not undermine the authority of the local Superintendent or intrude into responsibilities that properly belong to the local Superintendent or school administration, including such function as transferring employees

b. Adopt policies, provide stakeholder education, advocate the work of the strategic plan, and develop and allocate resources to support implementation of the strategic plan

c. Act to support the Superintendent to maintain district focus on work and priorities in the approved strategic plan

d. Direct all stakeholder's questions, input, and discussion directly to the Superintendent, provide the Superintendent and fellow Board members with proactive notice of issues or concerns

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Standards for Governance Leadership Team Participation

Professional Learning and Development

Recognizing active participation in trainings and events is inherent in the position, GLT members will:

a. Participate in all LSCC planning activities including, but not limited to, the development of the mission, vision, and goals of the Board and the school system

b. Participate in all required training programs identified for Board members by the Liberty County Board of Education, State Board of Education, and the Georgia School Boards Association

Attendance at Board meetings and Work Sessions of the Board is expected

GLT members will:

a. Attend and participate in regularly scheduled and called meetings b. Be informed and prepared to discuss issues to be considered on Board agenda c. Vote for a closed Executive Session of the Board only when applicable law or Board policy

requires consideration of a matter in executive session d. Maintain the confidentiality of all discussions and other matters pertaining to the Board and the

school system, including discussions in Executive Session of the Board e. Make decisions in accordance with the interests of the school system and not any particular

segment thereof f. Express opinions before votes are cast, but after the Board vote, abide by and support all majority

decisions of the Board g. Work with other Board members in a spirit of harmony and cooperation in spite of differences of

opinion that may arise during the discussion and resolution of issues at Board meetings

Code of Ethics Pledge:

1. At the first meeting of each year or the first meeting of a new Board member, Board members shall execute the Pledge shown herein below. Said pledge shall become part of the Board's minutes for that meeting, and a copy will be filed with the State Board of Education. Failure to abide by Code of Ethics is a breach of public trust.

2. The Board will adhere to the State Board of Education's Model Code of Ethics as outlined in local Board Policies BH and BHA. Every board member shall agree to abide by the Model Code of Ethics adopted by the State Board of Education as detailed in Board Policies BH and BHA.

Every Board member shall recognize and adhere to the tenet that authority rests only with the whole Board assembled in a meeting and will make no personal promise nor take any individual action, which may compromise the Board. Each Board decision shall be reached only after discussing all aspects of the issue with the other Board members in a meeting in complete compliance with the open meetings act in effect at the time of the meeting. Individual Board members outside or regularly constituted meetings of the Board shall have no authority to make decisions, to commit the Board to actions, or to supervise or direct school activities.

Every Board member shall strive to create a public school system which will meet the individual educational needs of all children, regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex, national origin, or social standing.

Every Board member shall uphold and enforce all federal and state laws, rules, regulations and court orders affecting the schools, including the Board's local policies.

No individual Board member shall pressure, threaten, or intimidate any administrator, teacher, other employee, or other Board member to do a certain thing or act a certain way.

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Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest PLEDGE:

As a Board member of the Liberty County Board of Education, I hereby acknowledge and agree with the Model Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policies as established by the State Department of Education and local Board Policies BH and SHA.

I recognize and agree this is my legal responsibility under Code of Ethics for Government Service (O.C.A. #20-2-72) and my failure to comply with the State Code of Ethics or Board Policies BH or SHA (Conflict of Interest) amounts to a violation of the public trust and may result in sanctions.

Signature:

Date:

Chapter Five

Contact Information

Contact Information

Lily H. Baker PO Box 264 912-368-7228 Board Chair Allenhurst, GA 31301 lbaker@liberty.k12.ga.us

Carol Guyett 9510 HWY 196 912-876-6234

Vice Chair-District 3 Hinesville, GA 31313 cguyett@liberty.k12.ga.us

Verdell Jones 508 Martin Road WK- 912-920-9300 District 1 Midway, GA 31320 HM- 912-884-3067

vjones@liberty.k12.ga.us

Carolyn Smith Carter 212 Pineneedle Ct. 912-368-2356 District 2 Hinesville, GA 31313 ccarter@liberty.k12.ga.us

James Johns, Sr. 236 Cherokee Trail 912-570-5203

District 4 Hinesville, GA 31313 jjohns@liberty.k12.ga.us

Dr. Chante Baker Martin 175 Barnard Pray Rd. 912-570-5201 District 5 Allenhurst, GA 31301 cmartin@liberty.k12.ga.us

Donita Strickland 410 Norman Street 912-570-5202

District 6 Hinesville, GA 31313 dtstrickland@liberty.k12.ga.us

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Liberty County Board of Education

200 Bradwell Street Hinesville, GA 31313

912-876-2161

Board Members

Mrs. Lily H. Baker Chair- At Large

Mrs. Carol Guyett

Vice Chair-District 3

Mrs. Verdell Jones District 1

Mrs. Carolyn Smith Carter

District 2

Mr. James Johns, Sr. District 4

Dr. Chante Baker Martin District 5

Mrs. Donita Strickland District 6

Dr. Franklin Perry Superintendent of Schools