Planning Board members are required to engage in strategic planning by regulations of the State Board of Education. Reports of the results of the planning efforts must be filed with the Department of Education. Planning activities must include enrollment projections, staffing needs, building usage and budget requirements. The central responsibility of a board, both in theory and in law, is to be the policy-forming body. The idea of local control of education means the policies governing the operation of schools are to be formed in response to local needs and desires.
Policy means actions of the board that set written goals and objectives for the school district.
A process of systematic policy review contributes significantly to the smooth operation of the district. The board must evaluate the results of planning. Evaluation completes the loop and, in fact, leads to more planning. Evaluation occurs all the time. Curriculum reviews, reports of student achievement, budget forecasts and facilities studies are examples of formal reports, presented to the board and the public at open board meetings.