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Resources for School Districts

How Pennsylvania Public School Boards Work

Introduction
Elected by the citizens, Pennsylvania's public school board members represent their communities' beliefs and values when making decisions about the operation of school districts. These community representatives give of their time and talent, without compensation, to provide high-quality educational opportunities that prepare children to live as productive members of society.

School directors are advocates for the public education of the students and the enhancement of the community. By incorporating the community's view of what students should know and be able to do at each grade level, school boards ensure that the standards for achievement are met.

School board members are accessible to their district residents and accountable for the performance of the district's schools. They also serve as the community's watchdog, ensuring that tax dollars are spent wisely on education.

What Is a School Board?
The Pennsylvania state constitution mandates that "The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient public education system to serve the needs of the Commonwealth . . . ." A school board is the locally elected government body that serves as the agent of the state legislature and the representatives of the community in providing a high-quality education for the students of the school district.

School boards were officially created by the Free School Act of 1834. This law addressed several areas of school governance, including:

  • Creating school districts
  • Requiring that all children receive an education regardless of their status in society
  • Establishing the election of school directors
  • Empowering school boards to supervise the creation and operation of schools and the certification of teachers.

Each school board consists of nine members who serve a four-year term, without pay, as school director. School board elections are held every two years, and the number of seats up for election is staggered, with five seats elected one term, then four seats elected the alternate term.

Who is Eligible to Serve as a School Board Member?
Pennsylvania law requires that anyone wishing to serve as a school board member meet the following criteria:
  • A citizen of Pennsylvania
  • Of good moral character
  • At least 18 years old
  • A resident of the school district in which the person wishes to serve for at least one year prior to appointment. Also, if the school district divides its representation into regions, the potential school director must be a resident of that region.
School Board Organization
Each year, school boards across the commonwealth meet during the first week of December to conduct the business of establishing the board's organizational structure. The board must elect a president and vice president, adopt the meeting calendar for the next year and appoint committees and other board positions. Also at this meeting, the board will swear in newly elected members.

The school board president is charged with running the meetings of the board and signing official documents at the board's direction. The vice president will serve in this capacity in the absence of the president.

What Does a School Board Do?
The Pennsylvania Public School Code is the law that governs the operation of public schools. The Public School Code charges every school board with the responsibility of "establishing, equipping and maintaining elementary schools and such other schools it deems proper to establish." The school code also lists many, but not all, of the powers that school boards may use to operate a public school system.

The nine members of the school board operate as a group and make decisions as a board. Individual board members do not have the authority to make decisions regarding school district policies or operations without express approval from the entire school board.

Federal, state and local laws and regulations also define the role and responsibilities of school boards.

One of the primary responsibilities of a school board is to adopt policies that govern how school districts operate. These policies should be reflect the board's vision and principles and represent the community's standards.

School boards are the chief advocates for public education in the community. As such, they must make every effort to engage their community and encourage active participation in the community decision-making process.

While it is the school board that sets policy, it is the responsibility of the school district administration to develop regulations that implement those policies.

School boards also are charged with selecting the superintendent, the school district's chief executive officer. School boards are responsible for recruiting, hiring and evaluating the performance of the superintendent. These tasks are the sole responsibility of the school board and cannot be delegated.

School boards have an overall responsibility of hiring the staff of the school district. Typically, the board relies on the recommendations of the superintendent. The superintendent supervises and manages the school district staff. School boards do not manage district staff.

School boards are the final decision-makers regarding expulsion and suspension. Many times, community members want the board to become active in the adjudication process at inappropriate times. Because the board may have to sit in judgment at a later time, it is important for the board to remain out of the process until such time arrives, so that they may, to the extent possible, make unbiased decisions.

School Board Meetings
The school code requires school boards to meet a minimum of once every two months. Most boards meet more frequently.

It is only during official meetings that a school board has the authority to take action regarding school district operations.

Effective school board meetings allow the public to watch how the school board works and to comment and provide input into the decision-making process. The law requires that school boards provide time during official meetings for district residents to comment on matters before the board takes action.

Meetings and the decision-making of school boards must be carried out in public. However, the law does allow for some confidential issues to be discussed in private, "executive sessions." The law also does not require that the school board hold a meeting within the school district boundaries. As long as the board properly announces and advertises the meeting as required by law, a meeting may be held in a location deemed appropriate by the board.