Policies

GENERAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION

General School District Administration contains policies on school management, administrative organization, and school building and department administration -- including the administrative aspect of special programs and system wide reforms such as school- or site-based management. It also houses personnel policies on the superintendent, senior administrators -- (management team), and school principals. All phases of policy implementation -- procedures or regulations -- are properly referenced and found in the appendix.

ADMINISTRATION GOALS

Proper administration of the schools is vital to a successful educational program. The general purpose of the Administration shall be to coordinate and supervise, under the policies of the Board, the creation and operation of an environment in which students learn most effectively. Administrative duties and functions should be appraised in terms of the contribution made to improving instruction and learning. The Board shall rely on its chief executive officer, the Superintendent, to provide the professional leadership, vision, initiative, and resourcefulness, as well as consideration and concern for staff members, students, and parents.

The Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Principals, and all other administrators shall have the authority and responsibility necessary to carry out the duties of his/her specific administrative assignment. Each administrator shall be accountable for his/her administrative effectiveness. The Board shall be responsible for specifying requirements and expectations of the Superintendent and shall hold the Superintendent accountable by annual evaluation. The Superintendent, in turn, shall be responsible for clearly specifying requirements and expectations for all other administrators and shall hold them accountable by an annual evaluation process.

Major goals of administration shall be:

1. To manage the District's various departments, schools, and programs effectively.
2. To provide professional advice and counsel to the Board and to advisory groups established by Board action. Where feasible, this will be done through reviewing alternatives, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of each, and recommending appropriate action from among the alternatives.
3. To assure the best and most effective instructional programs by:
• providing opportunities to keep abreast of current educational trends;
• establishing staff development programs which support instruction and student achievement;
• coordinating cooperative efforts to improve learning programs and facilities as well as continually updating equipment and instructional materials;
• providing opportunities for collaborative decision making with staff, students, parents, and members of the community, and
• ensuring that the "differing needs and talents of students" are considered when planning educational programs.

Regulatory References:

N.H. Code of Administrative Rules
Sections Ed. 302 (Duties of School Superintendent)
Sections Ed. 303 (Duties of the School Board)
Sections Ed. 304 (Duties of School Principals)
Sections Ed. 306.10(a)(6) (Minimum Standards for Public School Approval; Policy Development; Meeting the instructional needs of each student with different talents)

NHSBA Code CA
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

The duties of the Superintendent are defined in his/her contract of employment, Board policies, and Department of Education Rules.

Regulatory Reference:

N.H. Code of Administrative Rules Section Ed. 302 (Duties of School Superintendent)

NHSBA Code CB
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

APPOINTMENT OF SUPERINTENDENT

The Superintendent shall be hired by the Board.

Statutory Reference:

RSA 194 -C:4 (Superintendent Services)

NHSBA Code CBB
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

SUPERINTENDENT'S DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Board encourages the Superintendent to make every effort to stay abreast of educational trends and to seize opportunities for exploring new ideas and programs that may be used to advantage in the School District.

For the benefit of the entire school system, the Board encourages the Superintendent to set aside time each year to attend certain seminars and conferences and visit other school systems in which promising ideas are emerging. Such activities are to be delineated in the Superintendent's individual employment contract.

NHSBA Code CBG
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

EVALUATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

Through evaluation of the Superintendent, the Board will:

1. Clarify for the Superintendent his/her role in the School District as seen by the Board.
2. Clarify for all Board members the role of the Superintendent in the light of his/her job description and the immediate priorities among his/her responsibilities as agreed upon by the Board and the Superintendent.
3. Strive to develop harmonious working relationships between the Board and Superintendent.

The Board will provide the Superintendent with periodic opportunities to discuss Superintendent-Board relationships, and to provide written comments to the Board for evaluation of his/her performance.

NHSBA Code CBI
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

LINE AND STAFF RELATIONS

General Operations

The following principles shall govern the administrative operation of the District.

1. Each school shall be encouraged to develop appropriate educational programs for the students attending that school, consistent with district goals and adopted programs, School Board policy, state law, and State Board regulations.
2. The Superintendent shall have specific responsibility for overseeing the pattern and sequence of educational experiences provided for students from prekindergarten through grade 12.
3. Responsibility shall flow simply and clearly from the support staff, teachers, principals, Assistant Superintendents, central administrative staff, and the Superintendent to the School Board.
4. Each member of the staff shall be informed to whom s/he is responsible.
5. Whenever feasible, each member of the staff shall be made responsible to only one immediate superior for any one function.
6. Each staff member shall be told to whom s/he can go for help in working out his/her own functions in the District.

Line of Responsibility

Each employee in the District shall be responsible to the Board through the Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendents, central administration Staff and their respective School Principal.

All personnel shall refer matters requiring administrative action to the administrator immediately in charge of the area in which the problem arises.

Administrators shall refer such matters to the next higher authority when necessary.

NHSBA Code CCB
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

SCHOOL BUILDING ADMINISTRATION

The Board reaffirms the rights and responsibilities of the building principals for the administration of their various programs and buildings within the broad scope of the adopted Board policies.

Specifically, the principal of an individual school is the responsible head and professional leader in the development of the educational program and the improvement of instruction in the School of which s/he is the Principal. General operation, fiscal management and instructional leadership will be provided by the principal through a site based management model. All personnel will work through and under the direction of the Principal in the performance of their duties within his/her school.

Functions

All building principals shall be responsible for the school buildings and grounds to which they are assigned. They shall be responsible for and shall have authority over the actions of students, professional and non-professional employees, visitors, volunteers, and persons hired to perform special tasks.

All principals shall keep the Superintendent and/or his/her designee informed of activities in their buildings.

A principal shall attend Board meetings as requested by the Superintendent or his/her designee or the Board.

NHSBA Code CF
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

Principals shall be hired by the Board following nomination by the Superintendent. Should the Board fail to accept the nomination of the Superintendent, the Superintendent will be directed to present another name in nomination.

Candidates for position of principal will file a formal, written application with the Superintendent or his/her designee. Interview panels will screen all applications and a number of finalists will be selected for interview by the Superintendent and subsequently the Board.

NHSBA Code CFA
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

BUILDING PRINCIPAL(S) EVALUATION

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall conduct an ongoing process of evaluating the principal(s) on his/her skills, abilities, and competence. Annually, the Superintendent or his/her designee will formally evaluate the principal(s).

The goal of the formal evaluation process is to ensure an effective educational program is provided for students; to promote growth in effective administrative leadership for the school district; to clarify the building principal's role from the perspective of the Board and the Superintendent; to ascertain areas in need of improvement, and to focus the immediate priorities of the principal's (s') responsibilities.

The formal evaluation shall include an opportunity for the principal and the superintendent to discuss written performance criteria, the past year's performance and future areas of growth. The evaluation shall be completed by the Superintendent or his/her designee, signed by the building principal and filed in the principal's personnel file. The principal may make comments responding to the formal evaluation.

This policy supports and does not preclude the ongoing informal evaluation of the principal's skills, abilities and competence.

Statutory & Regulatory References

RSA 189:14-a (Failure to be Renominated or Reelected)
RSA 189:14-b (Review by State Board)
Littkey v. Winchester School District, 219 NH 626 (1987)
NH Code of Administrative Rules Part 302 Duties of Superintendents
NH Code of Administrative Rules Part 304 Duties of School Principals

NHSBA Code CFB
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

The administration of the District shall be delegated to the Superintendent who shall carry out his/her administrative functions in accordance with the policies adopted by the Board. The execution of all decisions made by the Board concerning the internal operation of the School system shall be delegated to the Superintendent.

NHSBA Code CH
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

DEVELOPMENT OF REGULATIONS

The Board shall delegate to the Superintendent the function of implementing appropriate actions to carry out Board policy.

The Superintendent will present to the Board his/her recommendations regarding appropriate regulations to implement Board policy.

In the development of rules, regulations, and procedures for the operation of the District, the Superintendent may include at the planning stage those employees who will be affected by such provisions.

NHSBA Code CHA
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01 

BOARD REVIEW OF REGULATIONS

When a written procedure or rule is developed, the Superintendent shall submit it to the Board as an information item. Such procedures or rules need not be approved by the Board, therefore, they may be revised when it appears they are not consistent with Board policy. On controversial topics, the Superintendent may request prior Board approval.

NHSBA Code CHB
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

ADMINISTRATION IN POLICY ABSENCE

In the absence of established Board policy or Board direction, the Superintendent shall assume responsibility making necessary decisions. In such instances, Principals or other administrative or instructional personnel shall gain the approval of the Superintendent before taking any action.

In the situations which arise within the Schools where the Board has provided no guides for administrative action, the Superintendent shall have power to act but his/her decisions shall be subject to review and ratification by action of the Board at a regular meeting. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to inform the Board promptly of such action and of the need for policy.

NHSBA Code CHD
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

ACCESSIBILITY OF POLICIES

The Superintendent of Schools is directed to establish and maintain an historical record of policy and access to these policies as adopted by the Board of School Committee. Administrative rules and regulations which are needed for policy implementation shall also be accessible.

Accessibility shall be extended to members of the Board of School Committee, all employees of the school district and citizens of the community.
8/94

Revision First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

APPROVAL OF HANDBOOKS AND DIRECTIVES

The principal(s) and other administrators are responsible for the development of employee and student handbooks.

The contents of all handbooks must conform with District-wide policies and regulations. The Board must approve and adopt all handbooks prior to publication and distribution.

NHSBA Code CHCA
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

TREATMENT OF EXTERNAL REPORTS

Within a reasonable time after receiving reports from such outside agents as the auditor, fire department, health department, and others, the Superintendent shall inform the Board of action s/he has taken pursuant to recommendations made in such reports, assuming such action can be completed within the current budget. Otherwise, the Superintendent shall prepare recommendations for Board action.

NHSBA Code CLA
First Reading Coordination Committee: 12/12/00
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/08/01

ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS

Enrollment projections will be prepared on a 5-year basis under the direction of the Superintendent and will be reviewed annually.

The projections will take into consideration the following:

1. Figures from the latest national census.
2. Projected enrollments from sending school districts.
3. School registration figures.
4. Review of forthcoming changes in city planning and zoning.
5. Review of current and planned city land development and housing.

Whenever construction of new school facilities or the closing of any school buildings is being contemplated, the Board may authorize outside studies of population trends and school enrollment.

NHSBA Code FBB
First Reading Coordination Committee: 11/15/00
Second Reading and BOSC Approval: 12/11/00

EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS

When the District considers new construction and major additions, the Board shall require the Superintendent to develop a set of comprehensive educational specifications for the architect. These specifications, which shall then be discussed in conferences with the architect, shall include:

1. Information concerning the plan of school organization and estimated enrollment in the proposed building.
2. A description of the proposed curriculum and the teaching methods and techniques to be employed.
3. A schedule of space requirements, including an indication of relative locations of various spaces.
4. A desired layout of special areas and the equipment needed for such areas.
5. An outline of desired mechanical features and special finishes.
6. A description of the grounds area and playground.

All educational specifications must be approved by the Board of School Committee.

NHSBA Coding FEA 
First Reading Coordination Committee: 11/15/00
Second Reading and BOSC Approval: 12/11/00

SELECTION OF A LICENSED ARCHITECT

The State Board of Education requires that a design professional must be employed to design the plans of the proposed building to make the project eligible for state building aid. The designer contributes to the building program as follows:

1. Advice and assistance in the selection of a site.
2. Assistance in determining the physical requirements of the project and developing preliminary budgets.
3. Preparation of preliminary sketches and studies incorporating educational specifications.
4. After thorough review, preparation of detailed drawings, plans, specifications, and contracts for the project, to be in full accord with all local state and federal laws and regulations.
5. Assistance in obtaining approval by: the State Department of Education for building aid, Fire Marshal, water supply and pollution control, and all other governmental agencies as required.
6. Preparation of necessary forms and information to advertise the project for bid, assistance in bid opening, advice to the committee on awarding the contract.
7. Supervision and administration of the construction phase of the project.
8. Certification of payments to the contractor, advice as to final acceptance of the building.
9. Authoritative, professional presentation of the building program to the public, especially with regard to costs and details of construction.

NHSBA Code FEB
First Reading Coordination Committee: 11/15/00
Second Reading and BOSC Approval: 12/11/00

SITE ACQUISITION PROCEDURE

Priorities based upon student population, location, and education needs shall be established well in advance in order that proper locations for school sites might be acquired. Sites shall be acquired in advance of time for construction to allow adequate time for the completion of topography studies and other preliminary work.

Eminent domain action for the acquisition of property for school site purposes shall be executed only after negotiations fail.

The School Board shall have sole power to select and purchase land for school use, subject to applicable powers of the City Charter.

Statutory References:

RSA 31:92
RSA 498 - A
RSA 199:1-3

NHSBA Code FEE
First Reading Coordination Committee: 11/15/00
Second Reading and BOSC Approval: 12/11/00