W. Va. Code R. § 126-12-6

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 36, September 6, 2024

Section 126-12-6 - County Board of Education Member (CBEM) Responsibilities and Processes

6.1. Beginning January 1, 2020, local board agendas and minutes shall be made public on the county webpage. Beginning September 1, 2024, video and/or audio of local board meetings shall be live-streamed and recorded and posted to the county board's webpage within five business days of the meeting. Directions for accessing the live stream will be made available to the public via the county webpage and local board agendas. Additionally, a minimum of once per month, in collaboration with county superintendents, county agendas shall include discussion addressing one or more of the following: school performance, student outcomes, or academics with local school board goals and actions to improve student achievement and well-being. If any county indicator is identified as Support or Intensive Support under the WVAS, the county leadership team shall present plans and progress for correcting deficits in the West Virginia Balanced Scorecard Indicators of Academic Achievement and Student Success, and County Operational Effectiveness Indicators of Efficiency.

6.1.a. At a minimum, CBEM shall annually assess their performance using statutorily-required CBEM performance appraisal, approved by the WVBE. This appraisal shall focus on collaborating with various constituency groups and the general public, implementing the strategies necessary to monitor and improve student achievement on a continuing basis, and effective policy governance. At the conclusion of the evaluation, the CBEM shall make available to the public a summary of the evaluation, including areas in which the CBEM concludes improvement is warranted. The summary of the evaluation shall be posted on the county's web page and remain posted until the following year's evaluation is completed.

6.1.a.1. The statutorily-required CBEM performance appraisal shall include review of school and county performance, student outcomes, county and school level leadership, and attainment of CBEM goals. Prior to developing CBEM goals, the CBEM shall review the county strategic plan and ensure CBEM goals support and amplify the county strategic plan goals to improve student achievement and assure student well-being. The appraisal shall serve as a preeminent prompt for specific CBEM training as deemed necessary by the WVBE. Specific training shall be designed to establish greater CBEM capacity and ensure CBEM accountability to advance student achievement. The WVBE's decision shall be based on a number of criteria including, but not limited to, recommendations of the West Virginia School Board Association (WVSBA), findings from the WVAS, and/or specific reports the WVBE may receive as prepared by WVDE staff.

6.1.a.2. The WVBE, in consultation with the TSRC, may determine the CBEM shall receive concentrated training to develop the CBEM's corporate capacity to address issues identified through review of the West Virginia Balanced Scorecard and County Operation Effectiveness Indicators of Efficiency. Additionally, the WVBE may address CBEM identified needs for specific services or resources which the CBEM lacks. Directed efforts will align CBEM goals with WVBE goals and actions, including development of effective CBEM/county superintendent leadership which promotes expected norms or roles for the CBEM and county superintendent.

6.1.a.3. If the WVBE requires a CBEM to receive concentrated training, such training shall be provided by the WVSBA in consultation with agencies or entities the WVSBA may determine. The WVBE shall be apprised of progress made in terms of the training or in terms of establishing the CBEM's capacity to address issues identified which prompted the WVBE to require the CBEM to receive additional training.

6.1.b. CBEM shall meet at least annually with the LSIC of each school deemed to be low performing under the WVAS, in accordance with W. Va. Code § 18-5-14. At any such meeting, the principal and the LSIC chair shall be prepared to address the dialogue at its meeting or meetings to give all stakeholders an opportunity to make specific suggestions to address issues which are seen to affect the school's academic performance and any other matters that may be requested by the county board as specified in the meeting agenda provided to the council.

6.2. CBEM shall report details of their meetings with LSICs to the WVBE at the conclusion of the school year, but no later than the first day of September each year as per W. Va. Code § 18-5-14(D)(2).

6.3. CBEM shall adopt and implement a policy that provides for parent, family, business, and community involvement in the schools.

6.3.a. Each county policy shall promote the involvement of parents, families, community, and business members in children's education.

6.3.b. Each county policy shall meet the criteria for compliance with federal programs.

6.3.c. Each county policy shall be developed by a committee consisting of, but not limited to, classroom teachers, parents/family members of school-age children, community members, business members, principals, and other school personnel. The committee shall be representative of a variety of schools and shall include representation from early, middle, and adolescent levels.

6.3.d. Each county shall provide training for teachers, parents, and administrators, in cooperation with the WVBE/WVDE, to realize the objectives set forth in the county policy.

6.4. CBEM shall receive training in areas relating to boardsmanship, governance effectiveness, fiscal management, and school performance issues including, but not limited to, pertinent state and federal statutes as outlined in W. Va. Code § 18-5-1a. Training shall be provided between the date of the election and the beginning of the member's term of office. As requested by the State Superintendent, WVBE may require any CBEM to attend additional training they deem beneficial in assisting the CBEM in successfully fulfilling their duties. Failure to attend and complete the orientation training, annual training, or training required by the WVBE without good cause constitutes neglect of duty under W. Va. Code § 6-6-7.

6.4.a. The following establish good cause that may prevent a member from attending and completing WVBE approved training to meet requirements of W. Va. Code § 18-5-1a:

6.4.a.1. an incapacitating physical or mental condition of the member; or

6.4.a.2. a death in the immediate family of the member; or

6.4.a.2.A. For purposes of the policy, the phrase immediate family means the member's spouse, children, parents, or any other relative who resides in the member's household and is a dependent of the member.

6.4.a.3. an accident or illness in the immediate family of the member which requires the member's presence; or

6.4.a.4. any other cause which is beyond the control of the member.

W. Va. Code R. § 126-12-6