Board of Education

"THE SCHOOL WITH A PROUD RURAL HERITAGE,  

2009-2010 Board of Education Goals  

0. The Board of Education is committed to a literacy program that aligns core curricula, with sound reading and writing comprehension strategies through strong PK-12 connections and collaboration.
0. Through continued research-based review and evaluation, the Board of Education is committed to effective mathematics competency, founded in a comprehensive and aligned PK-12 curriculum.
0. The Board of Education commits to the continued development and implementation of innovative programs, that promotes Mount Markham as a leader in technology integration eduction.
0. The continued support of effective communication systems within the PK-12 school community.
0. Through its actions, the Board of Education will cultivate and promote a school community of mutual respect. 

Mission Statement

Mount Markham is a large diverse community sharing a common rural heritage.
Every Mount Markham child is a gift to be appreciated and nurtured. Together, we will challenge and inspire our children to be life-long learners.

Meetings

The Board meets regularly on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The meetings are held at 7:00 P.M. in the Board Room at the Middle School. Community members are encouraged to attend.

The Board of Education takes official action on items such as recommendations for new hires, resignations, developing and approving policies and authorizing payment of the district's monthly bills. The Board also listens to various instructional and or informational reports from scheduled staff.

The meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of the month are Business Meetings.

The meetings on the 4th Tuesday of the month are Program Meetings. The Board of Education tries to limit business items at these meetings so that special presentations may be made.

Announcements of meetings or changes of meeting dates are posted in each of the school buildings, at the superintendent's office and in the following post offices: Bridgewater , Leonardsville, and West Winfield.

All meetings are open to the public.

Agendas

Agendas and supporting documents are sent to the Board members in advance of the meeting date to allow Board members to review and study the information. During the meeting it may appear as if some items being voted upon with little or no discussion. However, items may have appeared on a previous agenda or may have been discussed at length at or during a special or executive session.

Executive Sessions

The Board also meets in executive session to discuss personnel matters, labor negotiations and other matters defined as confidential by the Open Meeting Law of the State of New York . All executive sessions are closed to the public. The Board of Education may not vote during executive sessions.

Special Meetings

Special meetings are held on an as-needed basis and are scheduled in addition to regular meetings. Special meeting dates, times and locations are announced in advance and are posted in the same manner as regular meetings.

Public Comment

There are two opportunities for the board to hear from the public. When the meeting reaches "Public Comment" in the earlier part of the meeting, members of the Mount Markham community may address the Board if they have notified the superintendent 24 hours in advance of the meeting of their interest to speak. "Public Comment' toward the later portion of the meeting allows community members to address the Board on Items pertaining to that particular agenda only. Comments relative to personnel are inappropriate to address in open session and will not be allowed. Agenda items will only be responded to for purposes of clarification. Matters not on the agenda will be taken under advisement and researched before responses are given. Questions should be addressed to the President of the Board, and will be answered as determined by the President. Parent or community groups who have a specific concern may communicate this in writing to:

Mount Markham Central School Board of Education, 500 Fairground Road, West Winfield , NY 13491

The President will curtail discussion on a topic to ensure that others have an opportunity to speak and there is sufficient time to consider all important agenda items. Time for any individual to address the Board will be limited to five minutes. The Board requests that one speaker per group address the Board.

Budget

The Budget is the financial operating plan for running the school system and legal basis for establishing the school tax rate. The superintendent presents a tentative budget proposal for the following year to the Board. Public budget hearings are held prior to Board adoption of the budget. The budget is then presented for voter approval in the spring and has been mandated by the State legislature to be held on the third Tuesday in May.

If you have a problem....

The Board advises parents and other District residents who have questions or concerns about their children's education or other school related problems to first try to resolve them at the level most directly involved, usually the classroom teacher or school principal. If a satisfactory solution cannot be reached at this level, individuals should contact the Superintendent.

If at this time, the matter can only be resolved by some type of Board action, or by changing a Board Policy, the Board will become involved following a letter or phone call, or by listening to a speaker at a regular Board meeting.