Frequently Asked Questions

The Board is the official policy making body of the School District. The Board is composed of seven members, elected by the public, who each serve three-year terms. Board of Education members receive no paid compensation for their services.

• Establish District policies
• Identify District philosophy and direction
• Develop an annual budget for voter approval
• Act on the Superintendent of Schools’ recommendations regarding personnel matters
• Review programs and instructional materials
  

No person or group of persons acts in the name of the Board. All motions require a majority vote before the Board can act. A Board member acts in an official capacity only during an official Board meeting. The Board employs a Superintendent of Schools as the Chief Executive Officer of the School District. The Superintendent of Schools is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the District and administration of Board policies, programs and plans of action.

The Whitesboro Central School District Board of Education meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month during the school year and once each month in December, July and August. Meetings are held at the Administration Building, 65 Oriskany Blvd., Whitesboro. If a meeting is held at a different location, the public will be notified in advance.

Board meetings are governed by state education law, decisions by the NYS Commissioner of Education, federal law and local board policy. Parliamentary procedure is followed by the Board, with all actions taken by vote in open session.

The agenda is the order of business for the meeting and is prepared in advance by the Superintendent, in conjunction with the Board officers. The agenda and appropriate background materials are delivered to Board members the week before each meeting so they have the opportunity to prepare for the scheduled discussions and potential actions. Some items on the agenda may have been studied and discussed at previous Board meetings. Actions on such items may seem "cut and dry" or “hasty,” when in reality, they have been well-considered by Board members.

A typical agenda for a Board Meeting includes:

1. Call to Order
2. Quorum Check
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Public Comment
5. Consent Agenda
6. Superintendent’s Reports and Presentations
7. Old Business
8. New Business
9. Discussion
10. Public Comment
11. Executive Session
12. Adjournment 

Normally, the Board will allow opportunities for the public to speak, both at the beginning and end of each meeting. You will be asked to state your name and address before speaking. Visitor comments will be limited to three minutes each. The Board President will curtail discussion on a topic to ensure that others have an opportunity to speak and that there is sufficient time to consider all agenda items. The Board of Education members will not engage in dialogue with the public during this time. Comments relative to personnel or students are inappropriate to address in open session/public comment and will not be allowed.

If you have a question, please bring it in written form to leave with the Board. Do not expect an immediate response because the Board will have to research your question. Please note that visitors do not join in any Board discussion or debate.

Occasionally, it is necessary for the Board to conduct a discussion on a confidential matter which, under State Education guidelines, requires a "closed" or executive session. Such topics could include, personnel matters involving a specific person, negotiations’ strategies, building rental or property acquisition. Although these discussions are not open to the public, any action on an executive session item must be taken in open public session. Executive sessions are usually held before or near the end of meetings. Only items which fall in the executive category can be discussed during such a session.