DISTRICT 1
Emily Enquist
DISTRICT 2
Joseph Vance
DISTRICT 3
Brett Jones
DISTRICT 4
Donna Farnsworth
DISTRICT 5
Zenia Bringhurst
GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT
POLICIES
KEY FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD
Acting on behalf of the people of each community, the school board will fulfill the following functions:
Responsible Governance
The board, with participation by the community, will envision the future of the school district's educational program and formulate goals, define outcomes and set the course for the school district. This will be done within the context of racial, ethnic and religious diversity and with a commitment to education excellence and equity for all students.
Creating Conditions for Student and Staff Success
To achieve the vision, the board will establish a structure which reflects local circumstances and creates an environment designed to ensure all students the opportunity to attain their maximum potential through a sound organizational framework. This includes employing a superintendent, developing and approving policies, formulating budgets, setting high instructional and learning goals for staff and students, and nurturing a climate conducive to continuous improvement.
High Expectations for Student Learning
The board will continuously articulate the belief that all students can learn and that each student’s learning can improve regardless of existing circumstances or resources. The board will act as leaders of a vision of shared learning that is supported by individual schools and the community.
Accountability for Student Learning
The board's accountability for student learning will include adopting a system of continuous assessment of all conditions affecting education, including assessments for measuring staff and student progress towards goals. The public will be kept informed about programs and progress. Staff and board training will be provided to ensure continuous improvement of student achievement.
Community Engagement
The board will serve as education's key advocate on behalf of students and their schools. The board will work to advance the community's vision for its schools, pursue the district's goals, encourage progress and energize systemic change and ensure that students are treated as whole persons in a diversified society.
MEETINGS
Regular meetings are held at 5:00 pm on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month in the Columbia Assembly Room at the Ridgefield Administrative and Civic Center, 510 Pioneer Street or at other times and places as determined by the presiding officer or by majority vote of the board.
If regular meetings are to be held at places other than the Columbia Assembly Room, or are adjourned to times other than a regular meeting time, notice of the meeting will made in the same manner as provided for special meetings. All regular meetings of the board will be held within the district boundaries.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
The board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of involving members of the public in its meetings. In order to permit fair and orderly expression of such comment, the board will provide a period at the beginning of the meeting during which visitors may make formal presentations. Such presentations should be scheduled in advance. The board will also allow individuals to express an opinion prior to board action on agenda items the board determines require or will benefit from public comment. Written and oral comment will be accepted by the board before the adoption or amendment of policies not expressly or by implication authorized by state or federal law, but which will promote the education of kindergarten through twelfth grade students in public schools or will promote the effective, efficient or safe management and operation of the district. Individuals wishing to be heard by the board shall first be recognized by the president.
Individuals, after identifying themselves, will proceed to make comments as briefly as the subject permits. Any representative of a firm eligible to bid on materials or services solicited by the board shall also be entitled to express an opinion. The president may interrupt or terminate an individual's statement when it is too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, obscene or irrelevant. The board as a whole shall have the final decision in determining the appropriateness of all such rulings. Individuals with disabilities who may need a modification to participate in a meeting should contact the superintendent's office no later than three days before a regular meeting and as soon as possible in advance of a special meeting so that arrangements for the modification can be made.
