Who Serves on the Board?
The Board consists of nine members elected by the voters of Fair Haven. Three Board members are elected each April for three-year terms. The President and Vice President are elected by the Board from among its members for a one-year term.
What Does Your Board Do?
The Board is a policy-making body. Its primary task is formulation and evaluation of all policies necessary for the operation of the school district. Your Board of Education is a legislative branch of the school district. School board members are state officials. They are empowered by law to perform a state function—governing the schools. Examples of the Board’s responsibilities include appointing and dismissing personnel, maintaining the buildings and grounds and adopting an annual budget.
What Does the Administration Do?
The school district is managed by an Administrative Team that works within the limits of Board Policy.
The team is guided by the Superintendent who is appointed by the Board. The Superintendent serves as chief executive officer, administers Board policies and keeps the Board informed of the needs and programs of the schools. The Superintendent is a non-voting member of the Board.
The Business Administrator is the chief financial officer for the district and conducts all business functions of the district.
The District and Building level administrators are responsible of coordination, supervision and evaluation of programs within the schools
Board Meeting Format
Regular Public Meetings
These meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the Knollwood School Media Center (unless otherwise noted). There is a prepared agenda available at the meeting, also it is posted in borough hall and on the website. The Board reviews and votes on school matters. Public participation before any voting action affords opportunities to comment and express your opinions on agenda items. In addition, there is an opportunity to speak on non-agenda items at the end of the meeting.
Agenda
Opening of the Meeting —Call to order by the Board President: reading of the Sunshine Law; pledge of allegiance; roll call.
Approval of Minutes —for the previous meeting’s minutes to be placed on file and be considered official, a motion must be made and passed for their approval. Minutes of all public meetings are available at the Board Office.
Committee Reports —The chair of each committee presents discussion items to the Board. Any item that requires action will be voted on at this time.
Information Items —Superintendent’s Report on items from the month. Business Administrator’s report usually contains contracts to be approved for Special Education students.
Public Comment/Correspondence —Public opportunity for comment on non-agenda items. Correspondence may be read or acknowledged at this time.
Committee-of-the-Whole Public Meetings
These meetings are generally held at budget time *January and February). These are informational and voting does not usually occur at these meetings. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in these meetings of the Board.
Special Board Meetings
These are Public Board Meetings called for a specific purpose. They are open to the public and provide for public participation, as it is deemed necessary by the Board. Action and discussion by both the Board and public are restricted by law to the stated purpose of the meeting.
Closed Sessions
Closed sessions are held in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (Sunshine Law). These meetings are closed to the public. Only confidential matters such as personnel, litigation or negotiations may be discussed. Board voting can only occur during an official public meeting. The Board may adjourn during a public meeting into closed session and reconvene into public session at the same meeting.