Salt Lake City School District
Board Policy     B - 1

Title:                             School Board Legal Status, Responsibilities, and Ethics
Index:                           B = Board Policy

References:                   Administrative Procedures for Board Policy B-1
                                    Utah Code §53A-3
                                    Utah Code §53A-16-106 through 111
                                    Utah Code §52-2-1
                                    Utah Code §52-4-104
                                    Utah Code §20A-14-201 through 206
                                    Utah Code §20A-1-201 through 201.5
                                    Utah Code §20A-1-202.2
                                    Utah Code §20A-1-511
                                    Utah Code §67-16

It is the policy of the Salt Lake City School District Board of Education to do all things necessary for the maintenance, prosperity, and success of the schools and for the promotion of education; to exercise all powers given to it by statute; to obey all relevant laws and regulations; and conform to the highest ethical standards.

The purpose of this policy is to guide the board in fulfilling its responsibilities and to inform the public of the board’s intentions and procedures.

Legal Status. The Utah State Legislature assigns to each locally elected board of education control of the public schools in its district. Therefore, the Salt Lake City School District Board of Education is a political subdivision of the state and derives its powers from the state constitution and acts of the legislature.

Responsibilities. The board has all of the powers assigned to it by law and regulation to meet its statutory responsibilities. It may perform all of the following duties, as well as others legally prescribed and permitted:
Adopt policies, procedures, rules, regulations, or bylaws, as appropriate, for the governance of the district and its schools.

• Establish tax rates each year and submit them to the county legislative body according to statutory procedures.
• Prepare and adopt a budget for each fiscal year and file it with the county legislative body as required by statute.
• Acquire, hold, lease, sell, and manage the use of real and personal property in the name of the district.
• Sue and be sued in the name of the district.
• Employ by contract and set salary schedules for the superintendent, business administrator, principals, teachers, and other employees of the district.

Election of Members. A qualified individual may become a candidate for the board by filing a statement of candidacy with the Salt Lake County Clerk. All elections must be held in accordance with general election code.

Appointment of Members. The board may fill midterm vacancies in its membership by appointment as outlined in statute.

Student Board Member. Each year, the board may appoint a non-voting student board member to represent the views of students in board discussions. Nominations must be made in accordance with the associated administrative procedures.

Compensation of Members. The district must provide board members compensation and expenses in accordance with Utah law.

Election of Officers. The board must elect a president and a vice president whose terms of office are two years and until successors are elected.

Appointment of the Superintendent and Business Administrator. The board must appoint and evaluate the performance of a district superintendent and business administrator, as directed by Utah law.

The board expects these appointed officers to work together, with district employees and the board, to promote student learning. The board further expects that the business administrator and superintendent will exemplify the highest standards of professional competence and ethical conduct.

Board’s Relationship with the Superintendent. The board believes that legislation of policies is the most important responsibility of a school board and that execution of policies should fall to the superintendent.

By delegating its executive powers to the superintendent, the board allows her or him to manage the schools within the board’s policies, thereby freeing the board to devote its time to policymaking and overall evaluation of the district. The board holds the superintendent responsible for the administration of its policies, the execution of board decisions, and the operation of central office support for school programs. The board expects the superintendent to discharge her or his statutory responsibilities and to consult with and keep the board informed about school operations and problems.

Board’s Relationship with the Business Administrator. The board expects the business administrator to discharge his or her statutory duties and to keep accurate records of all district revenues and expenditures, all meetings of the board, and all legal and fiscal obligations of the board.

The board relies on the business administrator for advice and expertise on financial matters affecting the operation of the schools and holds the business administrator responsible for insuring the accuracy, integrity, and timely communication of such information to the board and superintendent.

Policy Development. The board accepts sole responsibility for adopting new policies and changing existing policies. Without diluting its authority to determine policies for the public schools, the board may seek the counsel of citizens, students, and staff members in policy development.

The formal adoption of policies must be recorded in the minutes of a business meeting of the Salt Lake City School District Board of Education. Only those written statements so adopted and so recorded may be regarded as official board policy. The board must maintain a set of written policies for the operation of district schools. The board may also maintain on-line access to written policies on the school district’s website. Exception to a policy may be made by majority vote of board members in a duly authorized meeting. Each policy remains in force until altered or superseded by action of the board.

Statement of Ethics for the Salt Lake City Board of Education. Members of the Salt Lake City School District Board of Education are elected officials obliged to monitor, evaluate, and work to improve educational opportunities for children and families in the district. These responsibilities require that members of the board adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct. Key standards are found in the Utah Public Officers and Employees Ethics Act and common-law principles defining ethical duties. To this end, board members subscribe to the following statements and assurances.

• I will represent the board with dignity and integrity.
• I will treat fellow board members with respect and consideration, exhibiting both honesty and decorum when we disagree.
• I will keep confidential personnel, legal, and property issues discussed in executive sessions.
• I will avoid conflicts of interest or the seeking of any personal advantage as a result of serving on the board.
• I will represent the needs of all students in the district while balancing the concerns of individual precincts and constituents.
• I will endeavor to attend all board meetings, be prepared, and listen to others’ opinions.
• I will guard the public trust by spending school funds to benefit all children.
• I will function as part of a policymaking body, recognizing that authority rests with the board in open session, not with individual members of the board.

Approved: 8/7/07

The Salt Lake City School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, or sex in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquires regarding non-discrimination policy: Kathleen Christy, Assistant Superintendent, 440 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111, (801)578-8251. You may also contact the Office for Civil Rights, Denver, CO, (303)844-5695.