Board of Education
The seven elected trustees of the Bloomfield Hills School Board are dedicated to the success of our students and are guided by the district's long-standing Mission Statement and the more recent 10 Guiding Principles. Each year the board works in conjunction with the superintendent to create Annual Goals. School board trustees are elected in even year November elections by the residents of our school district.
Board members work collaboratively to accomplish the Annual Goals, to hire and evaluate the superintendent, to monitor and create the policies that govern our students and district and to oversee the financial operations of the district. In fact, the board trustees are not involved in the day to day operations of the district.
The school board considers transparent operations and effective communication with all stakeholders of the district to be of the utmost importance. Trustees attend myriad district and community events and are members of many diverse community organizations. There is a time for public comment at all board meetings and board members are also available via email (see contact information on the right) and direct phone calls.
The school board members conduct their business in several ways, working closely with the superintendent and the cabinet. Guided by four officers (president, vice president, secretary and treasurer) elected each January, the board meets as a whole and also in smaller committees. All meetings are open to the public and provide a time for public comment. Agendas for all meetings are posted online and on the doors of the Booth Center. Generally, board meetings are held on periodic Thursday evenings at the Booth Center, with the regular portion of the meeting starting at 7 p.m.
It is during these regular meetings that official business will be brought to vote. Oftentimes, the board will meet as a whole in a study session prior to the regular meeting. In addition, all members of the board, with the exception of the president, are assigned to one of two committees. The committees are BIC (Board Instruction Committee) and FFLA (Finance, Facilities and Legal Affairs) and typically meet once per month. All dates and times for any of these meeting can be found on the calendar on district's web site.
If you are interested in running for a school board position, please contact the Oakland County Election Division. There are papers that need to be filed by the appropriate 'Last Date of Filing,' approximately 90 days before an election.
Understanding Your School Board
Adapted from the Texas Association of School Boards
School boards: Advocates for Educational Excellence
Every local school district is governed by a school board. These school board members (or trustees) are guardians of the public trust; they put the interests of their community's youth first. Through the policies they make, school board members are ultimately responsible for the success or failure of local public education.
This is a difficult job; trustees face hard choices, self-sacrifice, and exposure to public criticism. However, it also brings a great deal of personal satisfaction in sharing with parents, staff, and students their academic successes. This crucial responsibility and the closeness of trustees to the voters make the local school board the purest example of democracy our society presents.
- Who is responsible for public education in Michigan?
- Why do we need local school boards?
- What do school boards do?
- How do school boards make decisions?
- Can citizens attend school board meetings?
Who is responsible for public education in Michigan?
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) comprised of the State Board of Education and Superintendent, and the Michigan Education Association (MEA) guide and monitor public education in Michigan. The MDE oversees public school districts in the state. The department is governed by the State Board of Education. The MEA promotes public education and advocates for fair policies. Although state and federal laws have continued to restrict local control, school districts still have significant authority in governing schools.
Why do we need local school boards?
The US Supreme Court has said education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments. Our system of local school districts and boards of education epitomizes representative and participatory government-citizens elected from their community making decisions about educational programs based on community needs, values, and expectations. School boards are entrusted by the public to translate the needs of students into policies, plans, and goals that will be supported by the community.
What do school boards do?
- Ensure creation of a vision and goals for the district and evaluate district success.
- Adopt policies that inform district actions.
- Hire a superintendent to serve as the chief executive officer of the district and evaluate the superintendent’s success.
- Approve an annual budget consistent with the district vision.
- Communicate the district’s vision and success to the community.
How do school boards make decisions?
A school board is a local governmental body that can take action only by a majority vote at a legally called public meeting. The individual board member’s major responsibility is to study issues facing the district, evaluate needs and resources, and, after due consideration, vote in the best interest of all students at such a meeting.
Can citizens attend school board meetings?
All meetings are open to the public and provide a time for public comment. Agendas for all meetings are posted online and on the doors of the Booth Center. Generally, board meetings are held on periodic Thursday evenings at the Booth Center, with the regular portion of the meeting starting at 7 p.m.
It is during these regular meetings that official business will be brought to vote. Oftentimes, the board will meet as a whole in a study session prior to the regular meeting. In addition, all members of the board, with the exception of the president, are assigned to one of two committees. The committees are BIC (Board Instruction Committee) and FFLA (Finance, Facilities and Legal Affairs) and typically meet once per month. All dates and times for any of these meeting can be found on the calendar on district's web site.
