The role of the Board of Education (BOE) is to ensure that the District is well run through the creation and updating of policies. These policies serve as a guide to the Superintendent and provide direction, a basis for decision-making, and an imperative for action.
When hearing concerns on issues affecting the District as a whole, our board members function as policy makers. We place these concerns on a meeting agenda for discussion by the entire board or a board committee. The discussions can result in new or revised District policies.
As individuals, board members cannot make decisions for the board, take actions for the board, or speak for the board, unless the board has authorized them to do so. As board members we are sworn to abide by the NJ School Board Member Code of Ethics, which define the parameters under which we function.
The BOE functions by committee to review recommendations of the Superintendent on the operation of the district, development of the budget, facilities maintenance, curriculum development, etc. The Riverdale BOE operates with the following six committees: Curriculum Instruction and Special Services (CISS), Personnel, Finance, Technology Facilities and Transportation (TFT), Health & Safety, and Policy. The committees consist of three board members, the board president, and a district administration. The Riverdale BOE may have two meetings a month. At the regular BOE meeting, the board takes action by voting on the resolutions discussed at the first meeting and/or the Board Committee Meetings. Occasionally, due to time constraints or an urgent need, the BOE will take action on individual resolutions at the first meeting. In some instances, the BOE may meet once in a given month and take action at that same meeting.
Sometimes, community members contact individual board members about personal issues. When that happens, board members will rightfully encourage the community member to follow the chain of command—beginning with the classroom teacher and progressing through the hierarchy. Simultaneously, the board member will alert the Superintendent about the issue. Thinking that contacting a BOE member means "going right to the top" actually complicates rather than alleviates any problem or issue. Going around or over the school staff creates issues and puts board members outside their area of responsibility. When the chain of command is used properly by citizens and board members, it improves communication and leaves the BOE free to act as the final arbiter on issues that have not been resolved at other steps in the chain. To determine who best should handle a matter or question, ask yourself, “Who is closest to the problem?” Most often the answer is a staff member. Bringing your concern to a teacher or principal will quickly get a response. If this is not the case, the next step is to seek out the Superintendent. As a final step in this process, concerns can be brought before the board.
Board members are responsible for ensuring that the Riverdale Public School District provides its children the best education the community can afford. We have a responsibility not only to listen to all citizens but also to make sure those with a special point of view understand the needs of the school system as a whole. Above all, board members are responsible for and to the students in our schools.
The Riverdale Public School Board of Education
Additional information about the role of the Board is available from a short article from New Jersey School Boards Association titled "13 Things School Board Members Wish People Knew About Them."
https://www.njsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/13-things.pdf