0140 - BOARD MEMBERSHIP

Elk Rapids Schools

Bylaws & Policies

0140 - BOARD MEMBERSHIP

0140	Number

	The Board of Education shall consist of seven (7) members. M.C.L.A. 380.111(2), 380.211, 380.316(2), 380.403(a)

	Revised 11/14/94

0140.1	Electoral Process

	The number of members of the Board shall remain the same as before July 1, 1996 unless changed by the school electors at a regular or special school election. A ballot question for changing the number of Board members may be placed on the ballot by action of the Board or by petition submitted by school electors as provided under Michigan election law (M.C.L.A. 168.301 to 168.315).

	Members of the Board shall be elected annually on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May.

	After December 31, 2004, the District may revert to the November general election date by passing a resolution in accordance with Michigan election law.

	Note:	This provision becomes effective September 1, 2004 and applies to elections in 2005. Consult with your District attorney regarding procedures for changing the election date.

	A special election may be called by the Board as provided under Michigan election law (M.C.L.A. 168.301 to 168.315).

	M.C.L.A. 168.301 et seq.

	Revised 11/14/94
	Revised 11/8/04

0140.2	Qualifications

	An individual is eligible for election as a School Board member if the individual is a citizen of the United States and is a qualified and registered elector of the School District by the filing deadline.

	M.C.L.A. 168.302

	Revised 11/8/04

0140.3	Term

	Members of the Board shall be elected by the school electors for terms of four (4) years.

	At each regular school election, members of the Board shall be elected to fill the positions of those whose terms will expire. A term of office begins as provided by law (M.C.L.A. 168.302) and continues until a successor is elected and qualified.

	Note:	Effective January 1, 2005, this means January 1st for November general elections or July 1st for May general election.

	At least one (1) School Board member for a School District shall be elected at each of the School District’s regular elections. A School Board member’s term of office begins July 1st, immediately following the May election.

	M.C.L.A. 168.301 et seq.

	Revised 11/14/94
	Revised 11/8/04

0140.5	Compensation and Reimbursement

	A.	Compensation

		Each Board member shall be compensated for service to the District in the following manner: Twenty-five dollars ($25) per meeting, subcommittee meeting or authorized duty if the duty is related directly to the member's responsibility as a Board member and if pay is authorized for the duty in advance by the Board. Paid meetings shall not exceed fifty-two (52) meetings per Board member per year.

	B.	Reimbursement

		The following guidelines have been established by the Board of Education to ensure appropriate and proper reimbursement of expenses for Board members.

		1.	Expenses shall be reimbursed only for activities authorized by the Board.

		2.	When attending a Board-approved conference, all fees, parking, mileage, meals, and housing shall be reimbursed. The maximum reimbursable expenses are as follows:

			Housing - $175 per night

			Meals - $35.00 daily

		3.	Reimbursement for mileage shall not exceed the current rate established for all other school related travel.

		4.	No purchases of alcoholic beverages are reimbursable.

		5.	A voucher detailing the amount and nature of each expense must be submitted to the Board for approval within twenty (20) days after the end of the school year in which the expenses have been incurred.

	M.C.L.A. 380.116, 380.1254, 380.243, 380.331

	Revised 12/11/95

0140.6	Vacancies

	The membership of a Board member shall become vacant immediately upon the occurrence of any one (1) of the following events: the

	A.	death of the incumbent, or the incumbent's being adjudicated insane or being found to be mentally incompetent by the proper court

	B.	incumbent's resignation

	C.	incumbent's removal from office

	D.	incumbent's conviction of a felony

	E.	incumbent's election or appointment being declared void by a competent tribunal

	F.	incumbent's neglect or failure to file the acceptance of office, to take the oath of office, or to give or renew an official bond required by law

	G.	failure of the District to elect a successor at the annual school meeting or election

	H.	incumbent's ceasing to possess the legal qualifications for holding office

	I.	incumbent's residence being removed from the School District

	If less than a majority of the offices of the District becomes vacant, the remaining members of the Board shall fill the vacancy immediately.

	A vacancy shall be filled by the remaining members of the Board within thirty (30) days, and, if not, the vacancy shall be filled by the Board of the Intermediate School District.

	A person elected or appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board shall file an acceptance of office and shall hold office until the next regular school election.

	M.C.L.A. 168.310, 168.311

	Filling a Board Vacancy

	If the majority of the Board is still seated, the vacancy shall be filled by the Board using the following procedure:

	A.	The Board shall seek qualified and interested candidates from the community through the news media, word of mouth, and contacts with appropriate organizations.

	B.	All applicants are to submit a notice of their interest, in writing, to the Superintendent.

	C.	Appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy shall be by majority vote of the full Board.

	M.C.L.A. 380.1103, 380.1104

	Revised 1/8/01
	Revised 11/8/04
	Revised 4/11/05

0140.7	Recall

	Any member of the Board may be recalled pursuant to M.C.L.A. 168.951 et seq.

0140.8	Orientation

	The Board believes that the preparation of each Board member for the performance of Board duties is essential to the effective functioning of the Board. The Board shall encourage each new Board member to understand the functions of the Board, acquire knowledge of matters related to the operation of the District, and learn Board procedures. Accordingly, the Board shall give to each new Board member, no later than his/her first regular meeting as a Board member, for his/her use and possession during the term on the Board the following items:

	A.	A copy of the Board policy manual

	B.	A copy of Ethical Relationships for Board of Education Members and Educational Administrators (adopted by the Board of Education 12-13-76)

	C.	A copy of each current negotiated agreement

	D.	The current budget statement, audit report, and related fiscal materials

	E.	Copies of minutes of all Board meetings held in the previous six (6) months

	F.	Such other appropriate materials as requested

	The Board shall provide and maintain publications and reference materials for the use of Board members.

	Each new Board member shall be invited to meet with the Board President and the Superintendent to discuss Board functions, policies, and procedures.

	It is recommended that each new Board member read the 0000 Bylaws section of the policy manual as part of his/her orientation.

	The Board encourages the attendance of each new Board member at orientation and training meetings.

	Revised 6/14/93
	Revised 12/93
	Revised 2/27/95