Board of Trustees
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES CODE OF ETHICS:
As a member of my local Board of Trustees, I will strive to improve student achievement in public education, and to that end I will:
- Attend all regularly scheduled Board meetings insofar as possible, having read my packet ensuring that I am informed about the issues to be considered at the meeting;
- Recognize that the Board must comply with the Open Meeting Law and only has authority to make decisions at official Board meetings;
- Make all decisions based on the available facts and my independent judgment, and refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups;
- Understand that the Board makes decisions as a team. Individual Board Members may not commit the Board to any action unless so authorized by official Board action;
- Acknowledge that policy decisions are a primary function of the Board and should be made after full discussion at publicly held Board meetings, recognizing that authority to administer policy rests with the Superintendent;
- Acknowledge that policy decisions are a primary function of the Board and should be made after full discussion at publicly held Board meetings, recognizing that authority to administer policy rests with the Superintendent;
- Be open, fair, and honest; have no hidden agendas; and respect the right of other Board Members to have opinions and ideas which differ from mine;
- Recognize that the Superintendent is the Board's advisor and should be present at all meetings, except where the Superintendent is the subject matter, or where the Superintendent's presence is a conflict of interest;
- Understand the chain of command and refer problems or complaints to the proper administrative office while refraining from communications that may create conditions of bias should a concern ever rise to the attention of the Board as a hearings panel;
- Keep abreast of important developments in educational trends, research, and practices by individual study and through participation in programs providing such information;
- Respect the right of the public to be informed about District decisions and school operations;
- Understand that I will receive information that is confidential and cannot be shared;
- Give staff the respect and consideration due skilled, professional employees and support the employment of those best qualified to serve as District staff, while insisting on regular and impartial evaluation of all staff;
- Present personal criticism of District operations to the Superintendent, not to District staff or to a Board meeting;
- Refuse to use my Board position for personal or family gain or prestige. I will announce any conflicts of interest before Board action is taken; and
- Remember always that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending the public schools.
SIGNED BY POTLATCH SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON 1/17/2024
*The original copy of this document with signatures may be viewed in the District Office.
Policy History:
- Adopted on: August 14, 2003
- Revised on: July 12, 2023
- Reviewed on: April 4, 2023 by Policy Review Committee
Board Members
Zone 2: Jessica Scholfield- Vice Chairman
Title: Trustee- Zone 2
Email: zone2@psd285.org
Phone: (208) 596-8106
Zone 4: Ryan Beckner, Chairman
Title: Vice Chairman- Zone 4
Email: zone4@psd285.org
Phone: 208-301-4110
Potlatch School District recognizes Emily Hunt as a permanent honorary board member in recognition of her dedication to the students of our district. We greatly miss Emily’s leadership and witty sense of humor. She was passionate about our communities and devoted countless hours to the betterment of Potlatch schools.
We will forever miss you, Emily!
About Board of Trustees Meetings
What is a Board of Trustees Meeting?
A "Board of Trustees Meeting" is a business meeting held in view of the public. These meetings are guided by an agenda and are bound by "Open Meeting" law. For regular meetings, the agenda is posted at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.For special meetings or work sessions, the agenda is posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. The public is welcome to attend all meetings.
How can the public participate in a Board of Trustees Meeting?
The public can participate in a "Board of Trustees Meeting" in a few different ways:
- You can come and listen to the business meeting to learn more about what decisions are being made by the Board.
- You may be asked by the Superintendent to be a scheduled visitor for the purpose of sharing information and possibly answering questions the Board may have.
- You may submit a request to have an item added to the agenda in order to speak about that item. There does need to be enough time to add that item to the agenda - so it is best to submit this at least the week prior to the Board meeting. If the item is added to the agenda, the Board Chair will call on you and you will have 5 minutes to speak
- You may submit a request to speak about an item that is already on the agenda. The request form needs to be completed and given to the Board Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. You will be called on by the Board Chair and will have 3 minutes to speak.
