Approved: February 26, 2018
BOARD MEMBER INFORMATION REQUESTS
It is important for the Evansville Community School District Board of Education members to be informed about the operation of the District. The administrative team will provide information to keep Board members apprised of District operations. As a general rule, information will be distributed to the entire Board.
In order to provide individual Board members with information they request in an effective and efficient manner, the following procedures will be used:
A. Individual Board members possess all the rights granted to them as citizens of the community, including access to public records. Requests by individual Board members for documents which would be closed to the general public will be presented to the Board for review. The Board will review the request and make a determination as to whether or not the documents will be released to the Board member, consistent with state law.
B. When a Board member(s) would like the administration to compile information which will require lengthy research and investigation, the request should be submitted to the District Administrator, who will distribute copies to the Board. The request(s) will be reviewed at the next meeting, if possible, by the Board and District Administrator to clarify the request and determine in the context of other priorities if and when the administrative staff should respond to it. The requests, discussion of them and action indicted will become part of the record of the Board through the meeting minutes for follow-up and subsequent reference.
C. The District Administrator will discuss with the Board President the validity of any requests as deemed necessary. In making requests for information, data, etc., Board members will make all such requests through Board action unless the request meets the criteria given below:
1. Individual Board members may request and obtain statistics and reports, etc., as are readily available. All such requests will be submitted to the District Administrator who will have their staff gather the information or material.
a. Individual Board members may use materials obtained to compile or organize data or statistics to meet their needs.
b. Individual Board members may request that materials obtained be disseminated to all Board members.
2. Board members or committees who request statistics and reports which require substantial investment of time by the administration to fulfill will prepare the request in writing and submit them to the District Administrator, who will distribute copies to the Board. The requests will be reviewed at the next meeting, if possible, by the Board and District Administrator to clarify the request and determine in the context of other priorities if and when the administrative staff should respond to it. The requests, discussion of them, and action indicated will become part of the record of the Board through the meeting minutes for follow-up and subsequent references.
3. Release of documents to individual Board members will comply with applicable state laws.
4. The District Administrator will discuss with the Board President the number of requests and legality of requests.
Legal Ref.: Chapter 19, Subchapter II Wisconsin Statutes (Public Records and Property)
Local Ref.: Policy #165 – School Board Ethics
Policy #871 – Public Complaints About School Personnel
|