Van Buren Intermediate School District
Bylaws & Policies
 

0120 - POWERS AND PHILOSOPHY

0121

Authority
   
 

The supervision of this District shall be conducted by the Board of Education, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Board", which is constituted and is governed by the laws of the State of Michigan.
   
 

M.C.L.A. 380.601 et seq., 380.703
   

0122

Board Powers
   
 

The power of this Board of Education extends to those matters expressly or implicitly granted by constitution, statute, local charter or ordinance, or other law.
   
 

The District shall have all of the rights, powers, and duties expressly stated in statute; may exercise a power implied or incident to any power expressly stated in statute; and, except as provided by law, may exercise a power incidental or appropriate to the performance or any function related to operation of the District in the interests of public elementary and secondary education in the District, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
 
 

A.

Educating Students. In addition to educating students in grades K-12, this function may include operation of preschool, lifelong education, adult education, community education, training, enrichment, and recreation programs for other persons.
     
 

B.

Providing for the safety and welfare of students while at school or at a school-sponsored activity or while enroute to or from school or a school-sponsored activity.
     
 

C.

Acquiring, constructing, maintaining, repairing, renovating, disposing of, or conveying school property, facilities, equipment, technology, or furnishings.
     
 

D.

Hiring, contracting for, scheduling, supervising, or terminating employees, independent contractors, and others to carry out District powers.
 

E.

Receiving, accounting for, investing, or expending District money; borrowing money and pledging District funds for repayment; and qualifying for State-School Aid and other public or private money from local, regional, State, or Federal sources.
   
 

The District may enter into agreements or cooperative arrangements with other entities, public or private, or join organizations as part of performing the functions of the School District.
 
 

The District may conduct, operate, participate in, administer, or serve as a fiscal agent or administrative entity, or both, for one (1) or more programs involving workforce development, including but not limited to, job training and development programs, school-to-work initiatives, work first, or programs under the Job Training Partnership Act.
 
 

The District is a body corporate. An act of this Board is not valid unless approved, at a meeting of the Board, by a majority vote of the members lawfully serving on the Board.
 
 

The Board shall adopt bylaws. These bylaws may establish or change Board procedures, the number of Board officers, titles and duties of Board officers, and any other matter related to effective and efficient functioning of the Board.
 
 

The Board has authority, based on statute, to make decisions regarding the following subjects without resort to prior bargaining:
 
 

A.

the policyholder of the District's group insurance program
 
 

B.

the composition of the District's site-based, decision-making groups or school-improvement committees
 
 

C.

the decision whether or not to permit authorization of public school academies
 
 

D.

contracting with outside parties for noninstructional support services including the procedures for obtaining a contract, the identity of the outside party, and the impact on individual staff members or a bargaining unit
 

E.

use of volunteers
 
 

F.

decisions regarding the use of experimental or pilot programs including staffing, use of technology, provision of the technology, and the impact on individual staff members or a bargaining unit
 
 

G.

compensation or reimbursement of a staff member for monetary penalties imposed on the staff member under M.C.L.A. 423.201 et seq.
 
 

The Board may submit to the School electors a question that is within the scope of the powers of the School electors and that the Board considers proper for the management of the School system or the advancement of education in the School District. Upon the adoption of a question by the Board, the Board shall submit the question to the School electors by complying with Michigan election law (M.C.L.A. 168.312).
 
 

M.C.L.A. 168.301 et seq., 380.601a, 380.661,
 

M.C.L.A. 423.201, 202, 206, and 215
 
 

Revised 3/13/96
 

Revised 5/4/05
 

0123

Philosophy of the Board
 
 

An Intermediate District Board of Education is a legal entity for providing specialized educational services within a geographic area of the State of Michigan. The system was created by, and is governed by, State statutes. Members of a Board are chosen by constituent school districts to represent them and the State in the governance of the Intermediate School District.
 
 

The Board has the dual responsibility for implementing statutory requirements pertaining to public education and for meeting the educational expectations of its constituent districts. While the Board has an obligation to determine and assess district desires, it is understood that when the districts elect delegates to represent them in the conduct of specified educational programs, they, at the same time, are endowed with the authority to exercise their best judgment in determining policies, making decisions, and approving procedures for carrying out the responsibility.
 

The Board declares and, thereby, reaffirms its intent to:
 
 

A.

maintain two-way communications with citizens of the District and the boards and staffs of the constituent districts. The Board shall keep these parties informed of the progress and problems of the School District, and the constituent boards shall be urged to bring their aspirations and concerns about the District to the attention of this body.
 
 

B.

establish policies and make decisions on the basis of declared educational philosophy and goals.
 
 

C.

act as a truly representative body for citizens and constituent districts in all matters related to programs and operations. The Board recognizes that ultimate responsibility for public education rests with the State, but the Intermediate Board of Education has been assigned specific authority through statute, and the Board shall not relinquish or fail to exercise that authority.