School Board

Wyoming Statute: 22-22-201 (a) A qualified elector [defined as: *A citizen of the United States; *At least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the next election; *Actually and physically a bona fide resident of Wyoming.] resident in a school district is eligible to hold the office of school district trustee in the school district, but only from the trustee residence area in which he resides if the district is divided into residence areas.

Responsibilities and Authority:

Authority (Wyoming School Boards Association; https://www.wsba-wy.org/resources; New Board Member Information; Become a School Board Member) note: The pdf document entitled “Becoming a School Board

Member” can be downloaded by clicking on the “Become a School Board Member” link on the wsba-wy website.

Serves locally as government agency for the state with authority to take action only by majority vote at a public meeting.
The individual board member has no authority other than the right to cast a vote at such a meeting…and…cannot speak for the total board,…direct members of the staff, or…make other individual decisions.

Responsibilities:

Attends school board meetings, participates in discussions, and makes decisions by voting:
Adopts and monitors budget and finances prepared and administered by Superintendent;
Establishes criteria for instruction, approves, and monitors Superintendent’s recommendations;
Establishes personnel criteria and approves or rejects Superintendent’s recommendations;
Provides guidelines and ratifies contracts for labor relations;
Adopts policies for Student Services and Operations recommended by Superintendent;
Communicates and collaborates with the community.

Experience and Skills:

Effective school board members … are characterized by the following:

The ability to work as a member of a team, including an open mind and an ability to engage in give-and-take to arrive at a group consensus.
The willingness to spend the time required to become informed and to do the homework needed to take part in effective school board meetings.
A desire to serve children and the community, and a strong belief in the value of the public schools.

Impact on Citizens:

Engaged School Boards Can Make a Difference in Student Performance.
Research has shown that a good school board can positively impact student achievement.
[An effective school moard member] can make a difference in the life of a child through school board governance.
[An effective school board member] can help lead Wyoming children to excellence.