Powers and Responsibilities of the School Directors

V.S.A. tit. 24 Appendix, ch. 107, subch. 6

in effect

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 107, § 6.1 Composition; eligibility; elections; terms

6.1. Composition; eligibility; elections; terms (a) The Board of School Directors shall be elected at large by the voters of the School District from among their number, and newly elected school directors’ terms shall begin on the first Monday following the final adjournment of annual Representative Town Meeting. (b) The regular election of school directors shall be held on the first Tuesday in March each year as provided in subchapter 2, subdivision 2.2(3) of this charter. One school director shall be elected for a term of three years, and two school directors shall be elected for terms of one year each. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for the three-year term shall be declared elected. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the one-year terms shall be declared elected, even if there is a tie between them. In case of a tie between more candidates than there are seats remaining, a recount of ballots shall begin within 24 hours. If the tie is not broken, a new election shall be held as soon as is practical. Amended 2011, No. M-10 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 27, 2012.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 107, § 6.2 Compensation

6.2. Compensation The annual Representative Town Meeting shall fix the compensation of the school directors. Amended 2011, No. M-10 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 27, 2012.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 107, § 6.3 Prohibitions

6.3. Prohibitions (a) Except when authorized by law, a school director shall not be employed by the School District and shall not be a voting member of any committee to which all members are appointed by the school directors. No former school director shall hold any appointive office for which compensation is paid until one year after the expiration of his or her term of office. (b) The school directors may not remove or require the removal by the School Superintendent any employee or officer whom the School Superintendent is empowered to appoint. The school directors may, however, express their views as to appointment and removal of such employees or officers. (c) The school directors may investigate all matters pertaining to School District officers and employees and shall conduct all appeals and hearings required by law, but the School Superintendent shall otherwise have exclusive supervision of School District employees. Amended 2003, No. M-6, § 2.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 107, § 6.4 Vacancies

6.4. Vacancies (a) When a school director resigns, is removed from office, dies, or his or her name is removed from the checklist, the office shall become vacant. (b) A school director shall forfeit his or her office if qualifications for the office prescribed by this charter or by State law are no longer met or if he or she violates any express provisions of this charter or the director, is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or if absent from three consecutive regular meetings of the Board without being excused by the Board. The Board shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its members and of the grounds for forfeiture. For these purposes and for purposes of its hearings, inquiries, and investigations, the Board may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and require the production of evidence. A school director charged with conduct requiring forfeiture of his or her office shall have the right to a public hearing. (c)(1) Except as otherwise provided, when one but not more than two vacancies occur on the Board, within 30 days of the creation of the vacancy or vacancies, the School Board shall, by majority vote of those present and voting, appoint a qualified person to fill each vacancy on the Town School Board until an election at a special or annual meeting is held, and a record thereof shall be made in the office of the Town Clerk. (2) If three or four vacancies occur concurrently on the Town School Board, the vacancies shall be filled by a special General Town Meeting called by the Selectboard for that purpose. The remaining Board member or members are authorized to draw orders for payment of continuing obligations and necessary expenses until a majority of the vacancies are filled. (3) If there are no Town School Board members in office, the Selectboard shall call a special General Town Meeting to fill any vacancies and for that interim shall appoint and authorize the Town School District Clerk or the Town School District Treasurer to draw orders for payment of continuing obligations and necessary expenses until a majority of the vacancies are filled. The election shall be held not less than 40 nor more than 60 days following the occurrence of the vacancy or vacancies. Amended 2003, No. M-6, § 2; 2011, No. M-10 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 27, 2012.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 107, § 6.5 Appointments

6.5. Appointments Forthwith after their election and qualification, the School Directors shall elect a Chair, a Vice Chair, and a Clerk. Amended 2003, No. M-6, § 2.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 107, § 6.6 General powers and responsibilities of the School Directors

6.6. General powers and responsibilities of the School Directors The School Directors are responsible for the administration and maintenance of the public schools and, in addition to other duties specifically assigned by law (See 16 V.S.A. § 563), shall: (1) determine the educational policies of the School District and prescribe rules and regulations for the conduct and management of the public schools in the District; (2) take any action that is required for the sound administration of the School District; (3) subject to the authority vested in the electorate or any School District official, have the possession, care, control, and management of the property of the School District; (4) adopt regulations at scheduled School Board meetings; (5) keep the school buildings and grounds in good repair, suitably equipped, insured, and in safe and sanitary conditions at all times; (6) have discretion to furnish more than 12 years of instruction to pupils; (7) have the power to relocate or discontinue use of a school house or facility; (8) examine claims against the District for school expenses and draw orders for payment thereof; (9) establish, with the advice and consent of the Vermont Auditor of Accounts and Secretary of Education, an accounting system for the proper control of school district finances and for stating the annual financial condition of the School District; (10) prepare and publish a report of the condition and needs of the schools, including the Superintendent’s and Treasurer’s annual reports, and contract with a certified public accountant, licensed in Vermont, to perform an annual financial audit report on the condition of all school funds as required by Vermont statutes; (11) prepare an annual budget; (12) on prior recommendation of the Superintendent, employ such persons as may be required to carry out the work of the School District; (13) prepare an annual report detailing the receipt and expenditures of the School District; (14) provide, at the expense of the District, all text books, learning materials, equipment, and supplies; (15) [Repealed.] (16) execute contracts on behalf of the School District; (17) when so authorized by the Town School District Meeting, employ a public accountant to audit the financial affairs of the School District. Amended 2003, No. M-6, § 2; 2011, No. M-10 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 27, 2012; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 273, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/24APPENDIX/107Fetched: 10/21/2026