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School Board Operating Protocols

SCHOOL BOARD OPERATING PROTOCOLS

For the purpose of enhancing teamwork among members of the board and between the board and administration, we, the members of the Walla Walla School Board, do hereby publicly commit ourselves collectively and individually to the following operating protocol:

Walla Walla School Board 

GOVERNS

Decides What

Requests Information

Considers Issues

Creates, Reviews, and Adopts Policy

Establishes Vision and Approves and Reviews Plans

Monitors Progress

Contracts with Personnel

Approves Evaluation Criteria and Procedures

Reviews and Approves Budget

Represents Public Interests

Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith

LEADS

Decides How

Seeks and Provides Information

Provides Recommendations

Recommends and Carries Out Policy

Implements Vision and Plans

Reports Progress

Supervises Hiring Process and Practices

Supervises and Evaluates Personnel

Formulates Budget

Acts in Public Interest

1. The board will represent the needs and interests of ALL the children in our district.
2. The board will represent the needs and interests of ALL the patrons of our school district and will be a good steward of tax dollars.
3. The board will lead by example. We agree to avoid words and actions that create a negative impression of an individual, the board, or the district. While we encourage debate and differing points of view, we will do it with care and respect.
4. Surprises to the board or the superintendent will be the exception, not the rule. We agree to ask the board president or the superintendent to place an item on the agenda instead of bringing it up unexpectedly at the meeting.
5. Communicating with and listening to parents and community members are some of the board's primary responsibilities. Providing good information to the public is essential to the operation of the district or staff. When a parent or community member expresses a concern or complaint about their child's school program or some operation of the district, board members will listen carefully to the individual, recommend that the person speak directly to the teacher or principal of the school and/or indicate to the individual that they will convey this information to the superintendent. The superintendent will contact the individual or will have the responsible party speak to them. Board members put themselves in a precarious position when they promise resolution of a situation.
6. Visiting school facilities and communicating and listening to staff is an important way for board members to develop a better understanding of district operations. Official school visits by board members will be carried out only under board authorization and with the full knowledge of staff, including the superintendent. Board members wishing to visit schools or classrooms for individual purposes must first route their request through the superintendent who will coordinate access.
7. To be efficient and effective, long board meetings will be avoided. If a board member needs more information, either the superintendent or the board president is to be contacted before the meeting. Audience input will be encouraged at board meetings and appropriate protocol for receiving the input is in place. The citizens’ comment section of the board meeting is to provide community members an opportunity to address the board about the general operations of the district. During this time, board members listen attentively, perhaps take notes then, if necessary, either the board president or the superintendent indicates that the speaker's issue will be researched and/or a response will be made by the superintendent.
8. The board will consider research, best practice, cost implications, and public input in their decision making.
9. The superintendent is the chief executive officer and should recommend, propose, or suggest on most matters before the board.
10. The board will speak to the issues on the agenda. Facts and information needed from the administration will be referred to the superintendent.
11. Executive sessions will be held when specific topics arise which are within the legal parameters for such closed meetings. Board members must be sensitive to the legal ramifications and confidentiality of executive session meetings.
12. A regular board business meeting is conducted formally, with titles (Mrs., Mr., Dr.) used for all present, board and audience alike.
13. Board members will do their homework and participate in board training opportunities. Board members are expected to read and study material received prior to the board meeting.
14. As school directors of the Walla Walla School District, board members belong to the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) and adhere to the WSSDA Code of Governance.
15. Board members understand that board members individually do not have authority. Only the board as a whole has authority. Board members agree that individual board members will not take unilateral action. The Walla Walla School District Board of Directors conducts its meetings using Roberts Rules of Order. A quorum is three board members. The board members only have authority when acting in a scheduled public board meeting.
16. New board members assume office at the first board meeting following official certification of their election. Election of officers will occur annually at the December meeting during a non-election year or after the new board members have taken office in an election year.
17. The board president or his/her designee will be the spokesperson pertaining to official board correspondences and the superintendent or his/her designee will serve as the spokesperson for official district correspondences.
18. For decisions that have major impact on students and/or patrons, the board will use a public hearing process to gather input prior to making final decisions. Community forums are held at times on a single topic. These forums give the community at large the opportunity to be informed about the topic, to discuss the issue, and to give the board input.
19. The board will establish the vision, determine policies, and assures a process to address accountability. The superintendent will manage the schools.
20. Once a final decision has been made on a proposal by board vote/action, board members and the superintendent will publicly support the decision, individually and collectively.
21. During the Board Report agenda item, board members are to relay positive information about the district, such as their involvement in associated committee work, school related activities they have attended, or productive experiences with fellow board members. The Board Report agenda is not a time for board members to air grievances/concerns, weigh in on matters that would best be discussed during report, study or action item agendas, or surprise their fellow members or staff with new topics.
22. Should a board member have a new topic to discuss, or a grievance or other concern, that board member is to confer with the superintendent and board president, where consideration will be given to place the matter on the agenda for future discussion.

Issued:  August 2017
Revised:  October 2022

WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS • 364 South Park St. • Walla Walla, WA 99362 • Phone: 509-527-3000 • Fax: 509.529.7713

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