JCBE/POLICY FILE: 153.1

Approved: 11/16/76

Revised: 10/23/79

Revised: 3/22/84

ORIENTATION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Because the Board is responsible to the public for the success of all educational services offered by the school system, it shall be the policy of the Board to provide, as soon as practicable, for the orientation of new members.

Orientation of new Board members shall begin at the outset of their candidacy and follow through each step of the election process. Prior to the primary elections, candidates shall receive from the Board, upon the recommendation of the superintendent and through the Public Information Department, a brief overview of the Jefferson County School System. Each candidate shall also be informed of and given the opportunity to attend Board meetings and various other meetings being held throughout the school system.

Following the primaries, nominees shall be placed on a mailing list to receive notices of Board and other meetings and summary reports of Board action. Nominees shall also be informed that additional information pertinent to each Board agenda item is available to them through the school system's Public Information Department.

The third step of orientation shall be carried out after the general election in November. The new members shall continue to attend meetings throughout the system and shall be notified and given the opportunity to attend sessions of the Alabama Association of School Boards. To become more knowledgeable and better informed about their school system, new members shall be given an extensive tour of all the facilities and the individual schools in the Jefferson County system. The new members shall be invited to meet with the superintendent and other administrative personnel to discuss services to be performed for the Board, and to give new members the opportunity to request any other information they may deem desirable. Each new member shall also receive an orientation packet from the Public Information Department. The packet shall include:

1. A copy of Laws of Alabama Relating to Education.

2. A copy of Policies, Rules and Regulations, Jefferson County Board of Education Jefferson County Alabama.

3. A copy of the current school budget and the latest financial statement.

4. Information on school enrollments, qualifications of teachers, transportation, buildings and other items.

5. Information on the instructional program.

6. An analysis of major problems and issues faced by the school system.

7. Any other materials relevant to their duties and responsibilities as members of the Jefferson County Board of Education.