Policy 2.A – GOVERNING STYLE & VALUES

Date Adopted: January 27, 2009

Date Revised: April 24, 2012, July 29, 2014, September 26, 2017

The Board will govern lawfully, observing Policy Governance principles, with an emphasis on (a) outward vision rather than internal preoccupation, (b) encouragement of diversity in viewpoints, (c) strategic leadership more than administrative detail, (d) clear distinction of Board and chief executive roles, (e) collective rather than individual decisions, (f) future rather than past or present, and (g) governing proactively rather than reactively. Statement at the beginning of the board meetings.

Accordingly:

1. The Board will cultivate a sense of group responsibility. The Board, not the staff, will be responsible for excellence in governing. The Board will be the primary initiator of governing policy.
2. The Board may use the expertise of individual members to enhance the Board’s understanding of issues, but will not substitute such expertise for the judgment of the Board.
3. The Board will direct, control and inspire the organization through the careful establishment of broad written policies reflecting the Board’s values and perspectives. The Board’s major focus will be on the achievement of intended long-term impacts outside the organization, not on the administrative or programmatic means of attaining those effects.
4. The Board will enforce upon itself whatever discipline is needed to govern with excellence. Discipline will apply to matters such as attendance, preparation for meetings, policymaking principles, respect of roles, adherence to board standards of conduct, and ensuring the continual development of governance capability. Discipline of a board director may occur when that director violates reasonable standards of conduct, whether or not the misconduct occurs in the performance of their duties as a board director. This discipline may include, but is not limited to, private or public censure, written reprimand, or a call for resignation.
   a) Continual Board development will include orientation of new or potential Board members in the Board's governance process and periodic Board discussion of process improvement.
5. Although the Board can change its governing policies, it will conscientiously observe those currently in effect.
6. All policies of the Board are contained in this document, and they remain in effect, unless amended or deleted by Board action.
7. The Board will not allow any Board director, Board committee, employee of the school district or member of the public to prevent the Board from fulfilling its duties and commitments.
8. The Board will monitor and assess its process and performance quarterly. Self-monitoring will include comparison of Board activity and discipline to Governance Process and Board-Management Delegation policies. 
9. The Board’s activities, with the exception of personnel and other matters of a sensitive nature, shall be open and accessible to reasonable scrutiny by its “owners”.
10. In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, School District 27J does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to, treatment, or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to participation or admission.