Duanesburg Board of Education members participate in the following committees, which meet on an as-needed basis.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee may consist of:
a) The Board of Education as a whole;
b) A subcommittee of the Board of Education; or
c) An Advisory Committee that may include, or be composed entirely of persons other than Board members if, in the opinion of the Board, such membership is advisable to provide accounting and auditing expertise.
The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members who shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for any actual and necessary expenditure incurred in relation to attendance at meetings. Employees of the District are prohibited from serving on the Audit Committee. Members of the Audit Committee shall be deemed School District Officers, but shall not be required to be residents of the School District.
The role of the Audit Committee shall be advisory unless the Audit Committee consists of at least a quorum of Board members, and any recommendations it provides to the Board shall not substitute for any required review and acceptance by the Board of Education.
The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include the following:
a) Provide recommendations regarding the appointment of the External (Independent) Auditor for the District;
b) Meet with the External (Independent) Auditor prior to commencement of the audit;
c) Review and discuss with the External (Independent) Auditor any risk assessment of the District’s fiscal operations developed as part of the Auditor’s responsibilities under governmental auditing standards for a financial statement audit and federal single audit standards if applicable;
d) Receive and review the draft annual audit report and accompanying draft management letter and, working directly with the External (Independent) Auditor, assist the Board of Education in interpreting such documents;
e) Make a recommendation to the Board on accepting the annual audit report; and
f) Review every corrective action plan developed by the School District and assist the Board in its implementation.
Additional responsibilities of the Audit Committee include: assisting in the oversight of the Internal Audit Function including, but not limited to, providing recommendations regarding the appointment of the Internal Auditor; reviewing significant findings and recommendations of the Internal Auditor; monitoring the School District’s implementation of such recommendations; and evaluating the performance of the Internal Audit Function.
The Audit Committee may conduct an Executive Session pursuant to Public Officers Law Section 105 pertaining to only the following matters:
a) To meet with the External (Independent) Auditor prior to commencement of the audit;
b) To review and discuss with the External (Independent) Auditor any risk assessment of the District’s fiscal operations developed as part of the Auditor’s responsibilities under governmental auditing standards for a financial statement audit and federal single audit standards if applicable; and
c) To receive and review the draft annual audit report and accompanying draft management letter and, working directly with the External (Independent) Auditor, assist the Board of Education in interpreting such documents.
Any Board member who is not a member of the Audit Committee may be allowed to attend an Audit Committee meeting if authorized by a Board resolution. However, if such Board member’s attendance results in a meeting of a quorum of the full Board, any action taken by formal vote may constitute official Board action.
Building & Grounds Committee
Purpose
The Building and Grounds Committee (“BGC”) shall be responsible for assisting the Duanesburg Central School (“DCS”) Board of Education in fulfilling its policy making, support and oversight responsibilities relating to:
– Physical infrastructure
– District facilities
– District-owned asset inventory
– Capital Project expenditures
The BGC will act in an advisory capacity to the DCS Superintendent on any topic brought to the committee by the superintendent as well as perform all tasks delegated by the Board of Education.
The BGC will monitor, evaluate, and prioritize issues related to the facilities and infrastructure of the school district with the goal of making a recommendation to the full Board of Education for their consideration.
Committee Membership
The standing BGC is comprised of no more than 3 members of the Board of Education, as appointed by the Board of Education president. The DCS superintendent and the Business Administrator also serve on this committee.
In addition the members of the BGC can invite experts to subcommittee meetings and solicit feedback from the community and staff as necessary.
Authority
The BGC does not have the authority to make any decisions. The BGC acts as an advisor to the Superintendent and the full Board of Education so that the decisions can be made by those two parties.
The BGC does have the authority to investigate or inquire into any matter that is pertinent to the business of the committee in an attempt to make informed and necessary decisions.
Goals and Responsibilities
The committee will:
– Act through the guidance of the DCS vision statement and goals
– Review and recommend to the Board all plans and policies related to its purpose
– Review and recommend to the Board Capital Project plans
– Review and report to the Board at least quarterly the progress of implementing a Capital Project
– Promote and recommend cost-effective, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable practices and initiatives
– Assist the Policy Committee by providing feedback on DCS policies that the Policy Committee deem necessary
– Annually evaluate the adequacy of this Charter and recommend any proposed changes to the Board of Education for approval
– Meet on a monthly and as needed basis.
The review of all items will be accomplished by, but not limited to, reports written by the Superintendent or Business Administrator and/or presentations and reports provided by other DCS staff members.
Education Committee
Purpose
The Education Committee shall be responsible for reviewing information and materials related to the academic, instructional and extra curricular activities of the District. The information regarding the quality and effectiveness of the District’s instructional programming shall be provided by the Superintendent, administration or at the request of the Committee or full Board of Education. The Committee shall provide feedback and direction to the full Board and public as appropriate.
Committee Membership
The standing Education Committee is comprised of no more than three (3) members of the Board of Education, as appointed by the Board of Education president. The DCS superintendent and business administrator also serve on the Committee. The Education Committee shall meet at least 3 times a year.
Decision Making Authority
The Education Committee does not have the authority to make any decisions. The Committee serves in an advisory role to the Superintendent and the full Board of Education.
Goals and Responsibilities
Annual review includes but is not limited to the following:
– Instructional priorities and/or changes that have budgetary implications
– Educational Policy
– Course Catalog
– New York State Assessment Results
– Basic Education Data System
– Staff Ratio and Staff Assignment Information
– Review of Extra Curricular Activities
– Address specific educational concerns brought to the attention of the BOE
Employee Relations Committee
Purpose
The Employee Relations Committee is responsible for assisting the Duanesburg Central School (DCS) Board of Education in fulfilling its policy making role with regard to employee relations. That may include negotiating and implementation of all collective bargaining agreements, all employee contracts and conditions of employment, and any other issues as directed by the Board of Education.
Committee Membership
The committee is comprised of three (3) members of the Board of Education, as appointed by the Board of Education president. The DCS Superintendent and Business Administrator also serve on the committee.
Authority
The Employee Relations Committee does not have the authority to make any decisions. The committee acts as an advisory capacity to the DCS Superintendent and Board of Education.
Goals and Responsibilities
1. The Committee works with the superintendent, business administrator, and DCS legal counsel to negotiate collective bargaining agreements with Duanesburg Educational Support Association (DESA) and the Duanesburg Central School Teachers’ Association (DTA). Final adoption of any collective bargaining agreements must be approved by the Board of Education.
2. The Committee reviews the DCS Superintendent’s recommendations on conditions of employment, salary and benefits for all staff not included in collective bargaining units.
3. The three Board of Education Committee members coordinate the annual evaluation process of the DCS superintendent and review any contract changes prior to the full Board approval.
Policy Committee
Purpose
The Policy Committee is responsible for assisting the Duanesburg Central School (“DCS”) Board of Education to fulfill its role as the policy leader of the district.
Policy is defined as resolutions adopted by the Board of Education that are used to govern the development and implementation of educational programs and/or for management of the school district as described in Policy #1410: Policy.
Committee Membership
The Policy Committee is comprised of no more than three members of the Board of Education, as appointed by the Board of Education president, and the DCS superintendent.
Authority
The Policy committee has the authority to review any and all new and/or existing policies that it deems necessary, or as advised by the Superintendent, or as directed by the Board of Education. When the need for a new or revised policy is recognized or suggested, the policy committee will work with the Superintendent in the development of draft policy for presentation to the full Board of Education in accordance with Policy #1410: Policy.
Goals and Responsibilities
– Evaluate policies annually to identify any that may need revision or updating. Such review will include working with the Superintendent to identify policies that are not in compliance with New York State laws and Department of State Education standards.
– In consultation with the Superintendent, prioritize the policies that need revision in order of priority to the district.
– Coordinate the annual updating of the District Mission/Vision/Goals that is done by all other committees and the Board of Education as a whole.
Public Relations Committee
Purpose
The Public Relations Committee (“PRC”) shall be responsible for advising the Superintendent and assisting the Board of Education in fulfilling its duty to communicate effectively to the Duanesburg community and Duanesburg Central School (“DCS”) faculty, staff, and students.
This advisory and assistance capacity of the PRC shall extend to, but not be limited to, the following areas:
– Continually evaluate the need to enhance the communication between DCS and the Duanesburg community.
– Assist in the development of communication strategies and models used by DCS with regards to large district-wide initiatives including, but not limited to:
— The budget planning process
— Capital project development.
– Provide feedback on communication plans, programs and activities presented to the Board by the Superintendent.
– Recognize the accomplishments, assistance, and good deeds of the DCS faculty, staff, and students.
– Any task delegated to the PRC by the full Board of Education.
Committee Membership
The standing PRC is comprised of 2 members of the Board of Education, as appointed by the Board of Education president. The DCS Superintendent is also a member of the committee.
Decision Making Authority
The PRC does not have the authority to make any decisions. The PRC acts as an advisor to the Superintendent and the full Board of Education so that the decisions can be made by those two parties.
Additional Activities
In the spirit of positive public perception, the PRC also coordinates certain traditional activities for members of the DCS faculty, staff and students. These include:
– The New Staff Reception that occurs in Late October.
– All faculty/staff breakfast that is served by the Board of Education during the November Staff Development Day.