The role and purpose of the Board of Education (BOE) is to exercise general supervision over the district schools, programs and all special education services provided in partner districts in St. Louis County.  The BOE will ensure that district schools and all special education services provided in partner districts in St. Louis County are operated:

1. According to federal and state statutes
2. According to the rules and procedures of the Missouri State Board of Education and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
3. According to the policies, rules and procedures of the district

The board is accountable to the citizens of St. Louis County and will be responsive to the educational needs and the financial conditions of the district.

The board recognizes the following general responsibilities as paramount:

1. Legislative and Policy Making- The board is responsible for the development of policies, rules and procedures to serve as guidelines for the general management and administration of the district. Establishing the goals and objectives of the district and determining the methods of financial support needed to reach those goals and objectives are part of the policy-making function of the board.
2. Executive- The board will employ a superintendent to serve as the chief executive officer of the district. The board will delegate to the superintendent the executive and administrative duties and responsibilities necessary for carrying out its policies and will hold the superintendent accountable.
3. Appraisal- The board is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of its policies and their implementation. The board will hold the superintendent responsible for furnishing complete information necessary for the board’s evaluation of the district’s programs.
4. Provision of Financial Resources- The board is responsible for adopting an annual budget that will provide the financial basis for personnel, facilities, materials and equipment to enable the district to carry out its educational program. The budget is subject to approval of the Governing Council.
5. Staffing- The board is responsible for employing the professional and support staff necessary to carry out the district’s instructional program, establishing salary schedules, terms of employment, other personnel policies districtwide, and adopting a system of regular evaluation of staff.
6. Public Relations- The board is responsible for providing an adequate and direct means for keeping district patrons informed about its schools, programs and all special education services provided in partner districts in St. Louis County and for keeping itself and district staff informed about the public’s needs and wishes.
7. Educational Planning and Evaluation- The board is responsible for setting educational goals to guide both the board and its staff in working together toward continuing improvement of the district’s educational programs. The board is responsible for providing for an ongoing evaluation of school programs as measured through the goals and objectives set forth by the board and by the Missouri State Board of Education.
8. Judicial- The board is responsible for acting as a court of appeals for staff members, students and district patrons when issues involve board policies and their fair implementation.
9. Rolling Plan- The board will prepare and maintain an on-going long term strategic plan, as required by state law. This plan is subject to yearly review in December by the public and the Governing Council.

The board shall control all aspects of the operations of the district, within the limits of the law. The board will make its members, district staff and district patrons aware that the board has authority to take official action only when it is acting as a whole. The board shall be the final authority.  No section of the policies, rules and procedures may be construed to limit the statutory powers of the board to exercise its own prudent judgment.

Date Adopted:
June 23, 1971
October 15, 1975
March 19, 1984
March 14, 1995
July 13, 1999
August 22, 2000
October 8, 2002
January 25, 2011
February 22, 2022

Cross Refs.:
AA – School District Legal Status

Legal Refs.:
§171.011 – RSMo