While the exact schedule of meetings is a matter for discussion among Boardmembers, we believe the Board should meet often enough for members and theirappointing authorities to have a strong sense of the operations of the system, andfor the public to comment on Board issues and problems. Meeting agendasshould be published as far in advance as possible, and meetings should be held ina public space large enough for and accessible to interested parents and membersof the public.
Contracts. Appointing authorities and members of the Board have a clearfiduciary duty under the law to monitor and oversee spending within the Board’s$22 billion budget. While members cannot and should not attempt tomicromanage operations, we believe they can and should review all major new orrenewal contracts for goods and services, along with changes in the budget andcapital plan.
Community School Boards. This issue is particularly difficult to address withinthe law as written, since the boards have a clear role to play in elementary andmiddle schools, but no local school boards now exist and their elections will notbe held until next spring.After consulting with attorneys and experts in school governance, we arerecommending a compromise that we believe could help us through the legalthicket we face. The Chancellor has the legal authority to name trustees to takeover the operations of community school boards in cases where the boards are notfunctioning. We suggest that the board direct Chancellor Klein to use that powerto nominate two citywide trustees for each of the 32 community school districts,and name as the third trustee in each district the current president of the localcommunity education council. This solution would help ensure that thecommunity school districts are responsive to central authority, but still have astrong local voice.We must maintain an effective structure for meaningful parental input. Inaddition to the trustees, community education councils, although not officiallyrecognized under the current governance structure, should continue to act in anadvisory capacity for each district and remain a forum for parental engagement.In addition to these three priority matters, there are a number of other issues that shouldbe dealt with soon, such as a resolution making permanent and legally binding (as well asapplicable to all active city employees serving on the Board) the pledge by our appointeesto not collect additional compensation for their service and to forego all amenities such ascars and drivers as part of their Board membership.The attached report catalogues other administrative matters that we, as a board, must alsoaddress, including the employment of the community school district superintendents andBoard review of educational regulations and policies.
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