School Board

Board Meeting

Regular meetings of the school board are held at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. When there is a change in time, date, or place, public notice is given through news media. All regular and special board meetings are open to the public and all actions authorized or required by law are taken at these meetings. The board may, however, meet in closed (executive) session for the purposes of:

• review of applicant qualifications
  
• review of qualifications of candidates for board appointment
  
• acquisition of real estate
  
• sale or lease of real estate
  
• performance on publicly bid contracts
  
• attorney-client discussions
  
• consideration of employee discipline or performance

All formal actions, however, are taken in public sessions. Minutes of all regular and special board meetings are matters of public record. Newspaper reporters regularly attend board meetings.

Appearances Before the Board

Visitors are always welcome at board meetings. A place is reserved on the agenda for visitors with questions or concerns. Comments are limited to not more than ten minutes for each speaker and no more than twenty minutes on a subject except with the unanimous consent of the board.

In order to protect the integrity of the educational program and the privacy of individual instructors and employees of the Camas School District, the board has established procedures for hearing citizen complaints alleging inappropriate conduct. Such complaints must be referred to the superintendent in writing for investigation prior to consideration by the board of directors. The superintendent or his designee will be responsible for reviewing the written complaint and determining what, if any, investigation should take place. The complaint should be brought to the board of directors only after it has been investigated. The board of directors may hear the complaint in executive session in accordance with the restrictions of the open public meetings law. Complaints regarding instructional materials should be pursued in the manner suggested by Policy No. 2311 (Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials).

Patrons wishing to add an item on the agenda should contact the superintendent the Monday before the board meeting. Relevant material can then be prepared for the board. Visitors are free to comment on items listed on the agenda at the discretion of the president.

Questions or comments should be directed to the board as
a whole. When recognized by the president, those wishing to comment should stand and identify themselves.

The Role of the Superintendent

The superintendent is hired by and is directly responsible to the board of directors. It is his/her responsibility to provide effective leadership and to secure maximum educational opportunity for children by constantly striving to improve the quality of instruction.

The superintendent endeavors to obtain and develop the most competent staff to carry out the school’s purposes. He/she provides leadership in securing the funds and facilities needed for an effective instructional program. The superintendent encourages and maintains communication between the schools and the public. The superintendent serves as secretary to the board by state law and advises the board when required.