0142.3 - ORIENTATION

The Board believes that the training of each Board member for the performance of Board duties is essential to the effectiveness of the Board's functioning. 

1. A meeting will convene within sixty (60) days of a new Board member taking office to discuss the Board’s roles, responsibilities, conduct and ethics.
2. The Board shall encourage each new Board member to understand the statutory roles, responsibilities, and functions of the Board, acquire knowledge of matters related to the operation of the schools, and learn Board procedures. Accordingly, each new Board member, when his/her election is certified, shall receive or be provided electronic access for use during his/her term on the Board:
    
   1. a copy of the Florida Ethics Law;
   2. a copy of the Board’s policies;
   3. a copy of each current collective bargaining agreement;
   4. the District’s current budget statement, audit report, and related fiscal materials.
   5. a copy of Florida's Public Records Act, Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, and the most recent edition of the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual (or similar publication) published by the Florida Office of the Attorney General;
   6. Florida School Laws, current edition; and
   7. State Board of Education rules.
3. The Board will establish and maintain a library of publications and reference materials for the use of Board members and will provide a new Board member with a list of references that should be reviewed.
4. The Board shall encourage the attendance of each new Board member at orientation and training meetings, including membership associations, conferences, and other activities pertinent to the role of a Board member in the District.
5. The Superintendent shall provide an orientation program for newly elected Board members to commence as soon as possible after their new term begins. This orientation shall reflect, among other things, the purpose and role of the Board, the conduct of individual Board members, an overview of educational programs, and a review of Board rules and policies. 
6. During the orientation program, each new Board member shall be invited to meet with the Superintendent and members of the Superintendent’s cabinet to discuss District functions, policies, and procedures, budget, curriculum, committees, public records, public meetings, publishing the Board’s meeting agenda, information technology, administrative structure, strategic plan or mission/goals of the District, Board policies and District procedures for visiting school sites, and social media protocols.
7. The new Board member orientation program shall serve as a foundation for continued learning for Board members so that they can effectively fulfill the responsibilities of their position and positively impact student achievement.

Revised 8/8/23

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