Immediately following notification of election to the Montgomery County School Board, each new member shall be given an orientation program under the direction of the division superintendent. Every new School Board member shall be furnished a copy of the School Board’s bylaws, policies and regulations, the current budget, a copy of Virginia school laws to include the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, the Virginia Public Records Act, and other such documents deemed essential to the operation of the Montgomery County Public Schools.
The School Board places a high priority on the importance of a planned and continuing program of in-service education for its members. The central purpose of the program is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of public school governance in the Montgomery County community. The School Board shall plan specific in-service activities and work sessions designed to assist School Board members in their efforts to improve their skills as members of a policy-making body; to expand their knowledge about trends, issues, and new ideas affecting the educational activities of the public schools; and to deepen their insights into the nature of leadership in a modern democratic society.
School Board members shall participate annually in high-quality professional development activities at the state, local, or national levels on governance, including, but not limited to, personnel, policies and practices; curriculum and instruction; use of data in planning and decision-making; and current issues in education.
Funds shall be budgeted annually to support this program. Individual School Board members shall be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs incurred for participation in approved activities as governed by applicable School Board policy. The School Board shall retain the authority to approve or disapprove the participation of members in planned activities. The public shall be kept informed about the School Board's continuing in-service educational activities and about the program’s anticipated short- and long-range benefits to the Montgomery County Public Schools.
The School Board regards the following as the kinds of activities and services appropriate for implementing this policy:
1. participation in school board conferences, workshops and conventions conducted by the Virginia School Boards Association and the National School Boards Association;
2. division-sponsored training sessions for School Board members; and
3. subscriptions to publications addressed to the concerns of School Board members.
LEGAL REFERENCE: Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, § 22.1-253.13:5 (D).
Revised: August 2004, September 2005, September2006
Revised: September 2005