New London-Spicer School Board Goals (Updated November 6, 2013)

The school board has adopted the following school district priorities:

1. Improve student performance in Mathematics as measured by the percent of student meeting and exceeding state standards using the MCA, and increase the percent of students meeting growth goals as measured by the NWEA.
2. Enhance communication with parents, students, and communities to ensure learning for all students.
3. Providing students with adequate awareness for future opportunities to enhance college and career readiness decisions.
4. Establish long range plan for Business Office and financial planning to assure fiduciary responsibility.

Your Board of Education is composed of seven members elected to serve overlapping terms. The Superintendent of Schools serves as the ex-officio member of the board without the right to vote. The election of board members takes place on the second Tuesday in November and all members are elected at large. New board members take office on January 1st following the election.

Board Meeting

The Board of Education meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month except July and December whereas there is only one board meeting on the second Monday of the month. The meetings begin at 6:00 p.m., and are held in the District Conference Room located in the high school.

There is always a possibility of conflict, necessitating a change of meeting dates or times. Although rare, when it is necessary, the public will be informed via posting whenever possible. There are also instances when a special meeting must be called to consider certain specified actions. In both instances, the public will be informed of such meetings whenever possible. All meetings of the full board (regular, special, and emergency) are open to the public.

Any portion of the meeting must be closed as per State Statute if the board needs to discuss what is deemed data privacy issues. Any portion of the meeting may be closed as per State Statute if the issues meet certain statute authority. The Board Chair would announce the closed meeting citing State Statute authorizing the closure.

Board Actions

The Board of Education must have a quorum, or four members, present before it can take official action. Most board actions may be approved by a simple majority of the membership present.

The Board of Education has complete and final control over local school matters subject only to the limitations imposed by state law, regulations of the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning and, of course, the will of the local residents as expressed in district elections.

Public Participation at Board Meetings

Meetings of the Board of Education will follow a standard agenda. Items not placed on the agenda may be considered at the meeting upon agreement of the membership present. The Board of Education allows public participation at its meeting, but at the same time has the responsibility for conducting its business in an orderly fashion. The Chairperson will provide the audience with an opportunity to request an opportunity to speak to any item on the agenda. This will be done at the end of the meeting. Each speaker will be allowed five minutes for his/her presentation unless the time limit is waived by a majority of the board members present. When there are a large number of speakers to be heard, the Board of Education may shorten this time.