Last modified: September 26, 2023

Policy No. 1515 The Board-Superintendent Relationship

• Download Policy No. 1515 The Board-Superintendent Relationship

The successful operation of schools requires a close, effective working relationship between the board and the superintendent. The relationship must be one of trust, goodwill and candor. As the legally designated governing body, the board retains final authority within the district. The board exercises powers expressly required and implied by law. The superintendent is the board’s professional advisor, to whom the board delegates executive responsibility, including such powers required to manage the district in a manner consistent with board policy and state and federal law. The responsibility for hiring throughout the district, for example, is delegated to the superintendent as he/she manages the operations and personnel of the district, except for the hiring of himself/herself, and the Business Administrator.

The superintendent, as executive officer of the board, is responsible for the administration of the schools under applicable laws and policies of the district. The board delineates the duties of the superintendent and uses them as the basis for evaluating the superintendent’s performance. Unless specifically limited, the superintendent may delegate to other staff the exercise of any powers and the discharge of any duties imposed by district policy or a vote of the board. The delegation of power or duty does not relieve the superintendent of responsibility for the actions taken under such a delegation.

To perform their responsibilities with effectiveness, board members must be familiar with the operations within the schools and the school district administration. The superintendent will work with the board to establish communication procedures to enhance the board member’s understanding of student programs and school operations.

Approved by Board of Education:

August 13, 2013