ARTICLE 2
ADMINISTRATION
(Series 2000)
 
NOTE:             This comprehensive index/table of contents provides a standard index system designed to accommodate future policies/regulations and at the same time provides a table of contents for this manual. This manual contains only those Board policies (BP), administrative regulations  (AR) and exhibits (E) specified in the right-hand column.
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0.  
 
Concepts and Roles 
2000
BP
             
1.     Administrative Staff Organization x4300 2100 BP    
  A. Organization Chart/Lines of Responsibility 2110 BP    
  B. Superintendent of Schools 2120 BP    
  1. Superintendent’s Contract  2121 BP    
  2.  Superintendent of Schools: Job Description 2122 BP    
  3. Evaluation of Superintendent  2123 BP    
  4. Development Opportunities 2124 BP    
             
2.   Administrative Operations        
  A. Administrative Leeway in Absence of Board Policy  2210 BP    
  B.  Representative and Deliberative Groups 2230 BP    
  C. Management and Communication Systems  2240 BP    
3.    Conflict of Interest 2300 BP    
Series 2000         1/93
 
Administration
  BP 2000
 

CONCEPTS AND ROLES

 

 

The School Board expects the administration to promote the creation of the best possible educational program and to maintain an environment conducive to learning. The Superintendent shall provide the vision and educational leadership in this effort and shall give top priority to meeting the needs of all students and actively helping teachers raise academic achievement.

 

The Board may employ administrative and supervisory personnel to assist in the effective management of the district. The Board expects the Superintendent to recognize, develop and use the leadership abilities of staff.

 

The Superintendent or designee shall develop decision‑making processes which are responsive to the school community and to the specific needs of individual students. He/she shall provide means by which staff, students and parents/guardians at each school may participate in decisions related to school improvement and matters which the Board identifies as appropriately managed at the school site level. The administration shall provide professional advice to the Board and to citizen advisory committees.

 

(cf. 0420 ‑ School‑Based Management/Site Councils)

(cf. 1220 ‑ Citizen Advisory Committees)

(cf. 2230 ‑ Representative and Deliberative Groups)

(cf. 8000 ‑ Advisory School Boards)

 

The Board desires to give all administrators the authority they need in order to carry out their assigned responsibilities. The Board shall clearly state what it expects of the Superintendent and shall evaluate him/her on how well those expectations have been met. In turn, the Superintendent or designee shall clearly state what is expected of all other administrators and shall evaluate how well those expectations have been met.

 

(cf. 4300 – Management, Supervisory and Confidential Personnel)

(cf. 4315 – Evaluation/Supervision)

(cf. 4319.3 ‑ Duties of Personnel)

 

Legal References:

         ALASKA STATUTES

14.08.111 Duties (Regional School Boards)

14.14.110 Cooperation with other districts

14.14.130 Chief School Administrator

Unalaska City School District
4/93

 
Administration
BP 2100
   

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ORGANIZATION

 

 

Authority originates with the publicly elected School Board and State laws and regulations. The Superintendent or designee may delegate authority and responsibility to the administrators and staff in accordance with law and Board policy.

 

The Superintendent shall organize the administrative staff in a manner which best enables the district to provide an effective program of instruction. He/she may adjust staff responsibilities to accommodate the district needs and/or individual capabilities.  The Organizational Chart will be kept current by the Superintendent, who will submit it annually to the Board for information.  The Board may review and require revision of the Chart, if it is found to be inconsistent with Board policy.  The Chart will be considered a visual representation of policy.

 

(cf. 2230 ‑ Representative and Deliberative Groups)

(cf. 4119.3 ‑ Duties of Personnel)

 

Legal References:

ALASKA STATUTES

14.08.111 Duties (Regional School Boards)

14.14.130 Chief school administrator

 

ALASKA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

4 ACC 18.025 Principal

Unalaska City School District
3/2001

 
Administration 
BP 2110
   

ORGANIZATION CHART/LINES OF RESPONSIBILITY

 

 

All schools and departments shall form a single administrative system  organized so that appropriate decision-making may take place at various levels in accordance with Board policy and administrative regulations.  The Superintendent or designee shall maintain a current district organization chart, approved by the Board, which identifies lines of primary responsibility and the relationships between district positions.

 

The organization chart should clarify working relationships and functions.  It is not intended to indicate all the lines of communication and cooperation which must exist to create successful and effective schools.  The Superintendent or designee shall insure that all personnel understand to whom they are responsible and for what functions.  Lines of responsibility should in no way prevent staff members at all levels from cooperating to develop the best possible school programs and services.

 

(cf. 2120 – Superintendent of Schools)

(cf. 2210 – Administrative Leeway in Absence of Board Policy)

(cf. 4119.3 – Duties of Personnel)

Unalaska City School District
3/2001

 
Administration                                
BP 2120
   

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

 

 

The Superintendent is the chief executive officer and educational leader of the district. He/she executes all School Board decisions and is accountable to the Board for managing the schools in accordance with the Board's policies. He/she informs the Board about school programs, practices and problems and provides professional advice on items requiring Board action.

 

The Board delegates to the Superintendent the power to make decisions concerning internal operations of the district. The Superintendent may delegate to other school staff any duties imposed upon him/her by the policies or vote of the Board, as far as the law permits. This delegation of power or duty shall not relieve the Superintendent of responsibility for actions taken by his/her designees.

 

The Superintendent shall have general supervision of all personnel and shall develop and execute consistent, fair, and fiscally sound personnel procedures and practices, including an evaluation program for all district employees. He/she shall oversee all financial operations of the district and actively seek out new funding sources for the schools.

 

The Superintendent shall take an active leadership role in the development and improvement of the instructional program. He/she is expected to create a feeling of unity and enthusiasm among students and staff for the accomplishment of district goals.

 

The Superintendent shall articulate educational issues and values before the community and other governmental agencies. He/she shall be accessible to community members and shall work with them to further the district's goals and build a strong, positive community attitude toward the school system.

 

The Board expects the Superintendent to remain current on educational thought and practices by reading educational publications, attending educational conferences, and visiting other school systems in the interest of improving the district's instructional program and overall operation. The Superintendent shall inform the Board and staff of new developments and significant events in the field of education.

 

(cf. 2122 -  Superintendent of Schools: Job Description)

 

Legal References:

ALASKA STATUTES

14.08.111 Duties (Regional School Boards)

14.14.130 Chief school administrator

Unalaska City School District
4/93

 
Administration       
BP 2121
   

SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT

 

 

The School Board shall employ a Superintendent to serve as its chief administrative officer for a contract term of not more than three years. Prior to entering into an employment contract with the Superintendent, the Board shall have the contract reviewed by legal counsel.

 

The Board shall notify the Superintendent of its intention not to renew his/her contract early enough to ensure compliance with any notice requirements of the existing contract. Any extension of the life of the contract shall be contingent upon a satisfactory evaluation of the Superintendent's performance.

(cf. 2123 ‑ Evaluation of the Superintendent)

 

Legal References:

         ALASKA STATUTES

         14.14.130 Chief School Administrator

14.20.130 Employment of teachers and administrators

Unalaska City School District
4/93

 
Administration   
BP 2122
   

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS: JOB DESCRIPTION

 

 

The job of Superintendent entails many complex duties, some specified in law and some assigned by the Board. The Board shall provide the Superintendent with a job description that indicates his/her major responsibilities. The Board shall further define the Superintendent's responsibilities and duties through the adoption of Board policies.

 

(cf. 2000 ‑ Concepts and Roles)

(cf. 2120 ‑ Superintendent of Schools)

(cf. 2123 ‑ Evaluation of the Superintendent)

 

Legal Reference:

ALASKA STATUTES

14.14.130 Chief School Administrator

Unalaska City School District
4/93

 
Administration 
BP 2123
   

EVALUATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

 

 

The Board believes that an annual evaluation of the Superintendent's performance strengthens working relationships between the Superintendent and the Board. The evaluation process should clarify the Superintendent's role and give the Board and Superintendent an opportunity to jointly identify immediate priorities among the Superintendent's many responsibilities. Evaluations also should help the Board to monitor progress toward established goals and to set reasonable criteria for salary increases and/or contract extension.

 

The Board shall meet with the Superintendent to discuss the evaluation, including commendations in areas of strength and recommendations for improving effectiveness. The Superintendent and Board members shall agree upon and sign an evaluation summary. Additional evaluations may be arranged at any time during the school year at the request of either the Board or the Superintendent.

 

(cf. 2121 -  Superintendent's Contract)

 

The evaluation process shall be reviewed annually to determine whether any of the following steps need improvement:

1.                 <![endif]> Developing or reviewing/ revising the superintendent's job description.

2.                 <![endif]> Adopting or reviewing/revising evaluation policy.

3.                 <![endif]> Establishing clear criteria to include progress on district goals.

4.                 <![endif]> Establishing or reviewing/revising, the evaluation process.

5.                 <![endif]> Carrying out the evaluation.

6.                 <![endif]> Summarizing the results

7.                 <![endif]> Discussing the results with the Superintendent.

 

8.          Developing a plan for growth and improvement.

(cf. 9321 - Executive Sessions)

Unalaska City School District
4/93

 

Administration  

BP 2124
   

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

 

The Board encourages the District Superintendent to attend educational conferences, seminars, workshops and other professional meetings, visit other school systems and use other means to keep abreast of current educational thought and practices.

 

Adoption Date: Prior to June 1980

Unalaska City School District
4/93

 
Administration 
BP 2210
   

ADMINISTRATIVE LEEWAY IN ABSENCE OF BOARD POLICY

 

 

The Superintendent or designee shall have the power to act, within the parameters of  law, in cases where action must be taken and where the School Board has not provided guidelines for administrative action. If the action necessitates the addition or revision of policies, the Superintendent or designee shall make the necessary recommendations to the Board.

 

It shall be the duty of the Superintendent or designee to keep the Board president apprised of any action taken in emergency situations as soon as practicable after its occurrence. The president shall use his/her discretion in informing the Board before it's next regular meeting.

 

(cf. 9314 ‑ Suspension of Policies, Bylaws, Administrative Regulations)

 (cf. 9320 ‑ Meetings)

Unalaska City School District
4/93

 

Administration

BP 2230
   


REPRESENTATIVE AND DELIBERATIVE GROUPS

 

 

The Superintendent or designee may establish a management team, administrative councils, task forces, cabinets, or committees as needed to properly administer Board policies, improve the educational program and assist in district communication. The membership, composition, and responsibilities of these advisory groups shall be defined by the Superintendent or designee and may be changed at his/her discretion. Advisory groups shall channel their advice and recommendations through the Superintendent to the Board.

 

Expenses incurred for consulting services, materials and travel may be paid from the district's general operating funds only when within budgetary allotments and approved by the Superintendent or designee.

 

(cf. 0420 ‑ School‑Based Management/Site Councils)

(cf. 1220 ‑ Citizen Advisory Committees)

(cf. 8000 ‑ Advisory School Boards)

Unalaska City School District
4/93

 
Administration
BP 2240
   

BOARD‑STAFF COMMUNICATION

 

 

The success of any school system requires effective communication between the Board and the school staff. Such communication is necessary for facilitating proposals for the continuing improvement of the educational program and for the proper disposition of personnel problems which may arise.

 

The main goal of both the Board and the staff is to provide the best possible educational opportunities for the entire community. To achieve this end, good Board‑staff relations must be maintained in a climate of mutual trust and respect. At the same time, the Board, in exercising its public trust to provide thorough and efficient public education, cannot dissipate or transfer its responsibilities. The Superintendent, as professional leader of the staff and the chief executive of the Board, will establish the avenues for Board‑staff communication.

 

In accordance with good personnel practice, staff‑participation in the development of educational and personnel policies will be encouraged and facilitated. The Board believes that an educational institution functions best when all staff members are aware of its major activities and concerns and take part in decision‑making processes.

 

All official communications or reports to the Board from staff members and staff organizations will be submitted to the Board through the Superintendent. Conversely, all official communications, policies, and directives of staff interest and concern will be communicated to staff members through the Superintendent. The Superintendent will develop appropriate methods to keep staff fully informed of the Board's concerns, problems, and actions.

 

All effective means of facilitating channels of communications between the board and staff will be explored in order to promote close cooperative action for the continuing improvement of the educational program and the mutual benefit of the school system and the community.

 

Individual Board members interested in visiting the school or classrooms will inform the Superintendent of such visits and make arrangements for visitations through the Principal of the school. Such visits will be regarded as informal expressions of interest in school affairs and not as "inspections" or visits for supervisory or administrative purposes. Board members will not give directions, or make suggestions to personnel during their visit.

Unalaska City School District
1/96

 
Administration                  
BP 2300
   

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

 

The School Board recognizes that certain positions may involve an employee's participation in decisions affecting his/her financial interests. Employees shall refrain from participating in official district financial decisions in which they have a substantial financial interest.

 

(cf. 3315 ‑ Relations with Vendors)

(cf. 4112.8 ‑ Employment of Relatives)

(cf. 9270 ‑ Conflict of Interest Code)

Legal References:

ALASKA STATUTES

29.20.010 Conflict of Interest

14.12.090 Oath

Unalaska City School District
4/93

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