Source: http://arsba.org/about-us/board-members/
Timestamp: 2019-08-18 11:16:29
Document Index: 321577609

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 6', '§ 6', '§6', '§6', '§6', '§6', '§6', '§6', '§6', '§9']

Arkansas School Boards Association / Our Association / School Board Members
The school board sets the direction of the district, ensures that it is properly administered, establishes policy and represents the education interests of the community. The superintendent is the district’s chief executive officer (CEO) who carries out policy and day-to-day administration of the schools.
No individual board member has any power or authority and must never attempt to act as an administrator of the school system. Board members can act only as a group. No single board member has the right to make any decision for the rest of the board. The only time board members may transact any business is when they meet in a legally convened session.
Arkansas school boards are authorized to:
Prescribe the form of school organization, such as grade levels for elementary, middle and high schools
Specify the size, type, style, quality and location of district buildings, within Arkansas Department of Education guidelines and with its approval
Choose the superintendent and approve the hiring of teachers, subject to state licensing requirements
Determine the types and amount of school equipment
Decide what will be taught in order to meet or exceed state standards
Determine the extent of student transportation
Adopt appropriate policies and procedures that are consistent with the law for students, staff, parents and volunteers
More specifically, a board of education is obligated to:
Comply with state and federal laws and the policies and regulations of state education agencies
Determine the district’s education philosophy and goals
Choose the superintendent and work constructively with him or her
Contribute to improving the education opportunities of every child in the district
Develop, adopt and regularly review policies that will attract and keep the personnel who can promote the district’s education aims
Follow a budgeting process and adopt policies and procedures to ensure financials are legally and effectively managed
Review and approve an annual audit of the school district
Provide appropriate and sound physical facilities
Appraise district activities in relation to established goals and objectives
In 2009, the Legislature revised the statute outlining the powers and duties of school board members. Click here for § 6-13-620 which describes what board members may do in their elected roles. In 2011, the Legislature passed a requirement that school board members receive training in how to read and interpret an audit. That law, now Act 1213, is linked here. The law that addresses board training and reimbursement is § 6-13-629, which is linked here.
To aid Arkansas school board members, we have linked related documents for easy reference.
Read the School Board Member Code of Ethics.
School board members annually must file by January 31 a Statement of Financial Interest, and candidates must file it as well; see “Statement of Financial Interest” under “School Board Candidate ” at the Arkansas Ethics Commission website (http://www.arkansasethics.com/).
Arkansas Department of Education Rules and Regulations Governing Ethical Guidelines and Prohibitions for Educational Administrators, Employees, Board Members and Other Parties (November 2011)
The guidelines set forth prohibitions for board members regarding doing business with the school district on which they serve on the board; discussing or voting on matters in which the board member has a direct or indirect interest; and family members of board members having business interests with the school district.
Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators (September 2010)
These rules define standards of professional conduct and outline procedures for investigations and enforcement of the Code of Ethics.
The first question a school board candidate should ask is “why am I really running for school board?” It may be hard to imagine, but some people run for school board to “get rid of someone” or because they have a personal agenda they wish to fulfill. These are not good intentions when running for the school board.
Serving on an Arkansas school board is serious business. In fact, tougher state accountability laws and rules can result in removal from office of entire school boards. School boards in Arkansas are expected to fulfill the roles and responsibilities outlined in 6-13-620. Click here to view ASBA's Candidate Guide for more information.
To be eligible to run for a school board position, you must be a qualified voter residing in the school district, and in the respective zone if members are elected from zones. You may not be an employee of the district (a family member employed by the district does not disqualify you from running for office).
School board candidate qualifications:
Must be a qualified elector of the school district served whose name has been filed and certified by the county clerk of the county in which the school district is domiciled for administrative purposes ACA §§6-13-616, 6-14-111
Must be a U.S. citizen Amendment 51, §6
Must be an Arkansas resident Amendment 51, §6
Must be a resident of the district and respective electoral zone if elected from zones ACA §§6-13-631
Must not be an employee of the school district served ACA §6-13-616
Must not claim the right to vote in another county or state Amendment 51, §6
Must not presently be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction Amendment 51, §6
Must never have been convicted of embezzlement of public money, bribery, forgery, or other infamous crime Article 5, §9
The School Board Elections tab contains additional information on candidate requirements and timelines.
To run for school board, visit your county clerk’s office to request a packet of material about running for office.
• School board candidates circulate petitions to gather signatures of at least 20 qualified residents of the district (and electoral zone if school board members are elected from zones). Petition timelines are listed below.
For Districts Whose Local Policy Calls For May Elections
For elections held during odd years:
• candidates may begin circulating petitions 90 days prior to March 1
• candidate filing period begins February 22 and closes March 1
• election Day is third Tuesday in May
For elections held during even years concurrent with the presidential election:
• candidates may begin circulating petitions 90 days prior to the second Monday in November
• candidate filing period opens first Monday in November and closes second Monday in November
• election day is Tuesday after the first Monday in March
For elections held during even years concurrent with Arkansas governor election:
• election day is Tuesday four weeks prior to the third Tuesday in June
For Districts Whose Local Policy Calls For November Elections
For elections held during odd and even years:
• candidates may begin circulating petitions 90 days prior to August 1
• candidate filing period begins July 25 and closes August 1
• election day is Tuesday after the first Monday in November
• Candidate petitions and filing dates are available on the Secretary of State’s website.
• Candidates are required to make specific timely financial filings. Information about those requirements can be found on the Arkansas Ethics Commission website.
• A write-in candidate may submit a notice of intent to be a candidate instead of the petition with signatures by the deadline.
• Runoffs, if needed, are held four weeks after the election.
The Board Candidates tab contains specific information on qualifications.