Policy 8850 – School Board Committees

The School Board believes committees help contribute to the decision-making process and in conducting Board business. By using a committee structure, the Board can examine District matters more in-depth while providing an avenue for community input. While the committee structure allows community members to assist the Board in conducting Board business, its intent is not to diminish the Board’s governance responsibilities.

Committees shall serve in an advisory capacity, providing the Board with feedback and recommendations on items brought forth by administration. Committee votes on agenda topics are advisory only and may be used to recommend or endorse the advancement of updates or topics. Board members shall make requests for agenda items in accordance with Policy 4211. Committees may not act on behalf of, or speak for, the Board unless authorized by the Board President. All policy recommendations from committees are subject to Board ratification and approval. For policy-related changes, the Board shall conduct a first and second reading at a regular meeting before final adoption.

There shall be four committees:

  • Audit, Budget and Finance,
  • Curriculum and Program,
  • Planning and Facilities, and
  • Personnel and Policy.

Each committee shall consist of three Board members, and a quorum shall include a minimum of two members. The Board President shall appoint committee members and committee chairs in accordance with Rule 8850. The Board President shall also serve as an ex officio member of all committees. No board member may serve on more than two committees or chair more than one. Additionally, board members may not chair the same committee for more than two consecutive years. Committee chairs, with the support of administration, shall provide an update on the committees’ work at the following regular board meeting.

Committee chairs shall recruit up to six qualified community members, two District staff members, and two students to serve on the committee. Every attempt will be made for committees to reflect the diversity of the District, and to ensure that each committee member’s knowledge, skills and experience align with the focus and purpose of the committee on which they serve.  Committee member terms shall be one year, with the option of renewal at the chair’s discretion. Committee members are expected to attend 80% of the meetings for the committee to which they are appointed.

Committee recruitment shall occur annually in August, with appointments finalized in September. Committees will meet as needed in the following months, and may be combined when agenda topics warrant:

  • October
  • December
  • February
  • April
  • June
  • August

The Board may also establish ad-hoc committees as needed. The Board President shall make ad-hoc committee appointments in the same manner as committee appointments.

Minutes shall be kept of all committee meetings.

Public notice shall be given for all Board meetings in accordance with state law and Board policy.

LEGAL REF.:

CROSS REF.:

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS: None

AFFIRMED: June 8, 1993

DELETED: June 25, 2002

REAFFIRMED: May 13, 2003

REVISED:

  • April 21, 1998
  • July 13, 1999
  • February 22, 2000
  • July 10, 2001
  • December 19, 2006
  • July 28, 2009
  • June 22, 2010
  • February 24, 2015
  • September 2020
  • July 23, 2024
  • September 23, 2025

Rule 8850 – School Board Committees

  1. Committee Appointment Process
    1. Committee recruitment shall occur annually in August, with appointments finalized in September.
    2. The Board President shall appoint committee chairs and board members in order, as follows:
      1. by seeking volunteers and aligning appointments with Board members’ interests
      2. by direct appointment to specific committees
    3. The Board President, in collaboration with the board secretary, shall appoint community members, students and district staff, in order, as follows:
      1. by publicly seeking volunteers who reflect the diverse student population and whose knowledge, skills and experience align with the focus and purpose of the committee
      2. by appointment by the Board President, or by committee chairs with the Board President’s approval
  2. Committee Operating Procedures
    1. Committees shall review new polices or District initiatives. Items referred to committees shall be reviewed at a regular board meeting for discussion and possible action.
    2. Committees shall meet as needed during the months outlined in Rule 8850, and may be combined when agenda topics warrant.
    3. The committee chairs, Superintendent of Schools, Board President and designated administrators shall meet to establish meeting agendas to ensure the orderly flow of information and the effective operation of the Board and committees. Committee agenda items are limited to those referred by the Board President, committee chairs and designated administrators.
    4. Administrators and other District staff may be requested to serve in an advisory capacity and/or to provide supporting documentation.
    5. Committee meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Policy 8810, to the extent applicable.
    6. Committee meetings are open public meetings that are subject to, and shall adhere to, Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law.
    7. Citizens may submit written comments regarding agenda items to the Office of the Superintendent for distribution to committee members, the Board and relevant District administrators.
    8. Minutes shall be kept for all committee meetings and distributed to all Board members to ensure the Board remains informed of committee discussions and actions. Committee meeting minutes shall also be made available for inspection by the public in accordance with state law and the Board’s policy on access to public records.
    9. Feedback that comes from a committee shall be distributed to the Board, and shall contain the committee’s recommendation, and include comments of dissent, in addition to the Administration’s recommendation.

Board of Education – Committee Duties and Responsibilities

Audit, Budget and Finance Committee

  • Review and monitor the progress of identified district goals
  • Review monthly fund statements and financial reports throughout the year
  • Review budgets related to significant grants submitted and/or awarded
  • Review, offer ideas, and provide suggestions on all proposed Board policies related to budget and finance matters
  • Review financial and program audits and explore ways to address issues that may arise
  • Review any audit findings and related action plans
  • Review annual student enrollment projections and discuss the implications of long-term financial planning
  • Review and monitor the progress of identified district goals.
  • Review annual recommendations for new curriculum resource requests
  • Review the District’s state student achievement results
  • Review recommendations for request to modify the curriculum adoption and implementation cycle
  • Review, offer ideas, and provide suggestions on all proposed Board policies related to education, teaching or support programs
  • Review professional learning plan process
  • Review, offer ideas, and provide suggestions on the District’s technology and administrational computer plan
  • Newly developed applicable policies should be reviewed by the Committee prior to the first reading by the Board

Curriculum and Program Committee

  • Review and monitor the progress of identified district goals
  • Review new curriculum resource requests
  • Review the District’s state student achievement results
  • Review recommendations to modify the curriculum adoption and implementation cycle
  • Review and provide suggestions on Board policies related to education, teaching or support programs
  • Review the professional learning plan process
  • Review and provide suggestions on the District’s technology plan
  • Discuss pertinent legislative matters and develop advocacy strategies to address emerging issues as needed

Planning and Facilities Committee

  • Review and provide suggestions on the District’s capital improvement budget
  • Review the implementation of all expenditures related to facilities and equipment
  • Review building standards for each type of educational facility
  • Work with community groups to develop long-term financial plans to implement the district’s physical facilities
  • Review and provide suggestions on all proposed Board policies related to planning facilities and equipment
  • Review recommendations related to school capacity issues
  • Review job cost summaries for large capital projects, such as those associated with a referendum
  • Periodically review major facilities programs, such as safety, security, building envelope maintenance, indoor air quality, etc.
  • Review utility expenditure and consumption data, as well as district energy efficiency programs
  • Discuss pertinent legislative matters and develop advocacy strategies to address emerging issues as needed

Personnel and Policy Committee

  • Review and monitor the progress of identified district goals
  • Review and provide suggestions regarding staff recruitment and retention strategies
  • Discuss pertinent legislative matters and develop advocacy strategies to address emerging issues as needed
  • Review personnel policies to ensure they align with the district’s mission, vision and goals
  • Review and recommend updates to policies before Board review
  • Review and provide feedback on Budget Assumptions before Board review
  • Discuss pertinent legislative matters and develop advocacy strategies to address emerging issues as needed

Ad-Hoc Committee

  • Ad-hoc committee(s) are appointed by the Board President
  • Their responsibilities are based on the task(s) for which they are assigned
  • Ad-hoc committees are not standing committees and have a limited term