Title: Policy Statement on Christina School District Board of Education

Participation in the Delaware Legislative and Governance Processes

Number: 01.19
Effective Date: Upon approval of SECOND READ

I.

PURPOSE:
The main goal of the Board is to provide the best possible educational
opportunities for the students in the Christina School District (CSD).
Because the education of students in the CSD is often influenced
significantly by decisions made by the Delaware State Legislature, the
Delaware State Board of Education, and the Delaware Department of
Education, it is imperative that the CSD Board be actively involved in the
decision making processes by these organizations.

II.

ISSUE:
There are decisions that are made on a statewide basis that affect the
education of children in CSD. These decisions are made by the
Delaware Legislature, the Delaware State Board of Education, and the
Delaware Department of Education.
It is essential that the CSD Board actively participate at a statewide level
to ensure the best educational opportunities and outcomes for the
students in CSD. For purposes of this policy, the position of the CSD
Board means a position adopted by the vote of a majority of the CSD
Board. In the absence of a position adopted by the CSD Board, a Board
member publicly speaking or communicating shall make it clear that the
Board member is speaking or communicating as an individual citizen,
and is not speaking or communicating on behalf of the CSD Board.

III.

POLICY:
The seven members of the CSD Board will actively participate in the
State of Delaware governance of public education as it affects the CSD.
The following are examples of areas in which the CSD Board will
actively participate. There may be other areas to be determined by the
Board as appropriate.
Board members will attend all legislative meetings (both committee
meeting and sessions of the House and Senate) and actively
participate in these meetings where the opportunity is available.

Board members will attend all State Board of Education meetings

and actively participate in these meetings where the opportunity is
available.

Board members will make public statements to communicate the

position of the CSD Board on all issues that may affect the CSD
during any meetings that allow for public statements.
Board members will regularly communicate with members of the
State Board of Education outside of the State Board of Education
meetings to communicate the CSD position on issues that may
affect the CSD.
Board members will regularly communicate with members of the
Delaware House of Representatives Education Committee, the
Delaware Senate Education Committee, members of the Delaware
Joint Finance committee, members of the Delaware House of
Representatives whose district includes the CSD, and members of
the Delaware Senate whose district includes the CSD on issues
dealing with public education in Delaware as they affect CSD.

 The Board members will regularly meet with the Secretary of

Education and the Governors Education Advisor to communicate
the position of the CSD on matters of public education in
Delaware. The Board members will also communicate with the
staff of the Department of Education on matters that impact the
CSD.
The seven members of the CSD Board of Education will establish a
rotating schedule which has one Board member scheduled every week
of the year to fulfill the duties listed above.
At the end of each week, the Board member who fulfilled this role will
prepare a written summary of the weeks activities by 11:59 PM of
Saturday of that week and provide that report to all members of the
Board. Also, after providing the written report, the Board member who
just ended the week of duty will verbally communicate with the Board
member who will fulfill this function in the subsequent week.
All written reports will be posted on the CSD website and be available to
the public.
If a Board member is unable to participate in the above listed activities
and not able to fulfill the expectations of CSD Board members as
described above, that member shall contact the CSD Board President
24 hours in advance, and the President shall arrange for a substitute
member to fulfill the obligations. The substitute member will follow the
scheduled meetings and report as per the policy.
IV.

REVIEW AND REPORTING:

The Superintendent or his/her designee will report to the Board on the
status of this policy based on the review schedule of policies.

V.

REFERENCES:

None
3