The Board’s Goal
As representatives of the community, joined in a positive, cooperative effort with parents, students and staff, it is the mission of the Newark Board of Education to determine the direction of the school district, set policies, define goals and work toward providing the highest quality resources that will ensure that every student receives the very best education possible and is prepared for the future as a productive and responsible citizen.

A Board of Citizens
Five citizens are elected to the board. Each member serves a four-year term. To maintain continuity, the terms are staggered. The board is a policy-making body that represents both the State of Ohio and district residents on all matters and decisions regarding public education. No individual member has the independent authority to speak for the board.

Duties of the Board

• Making sure all students of the district are provided with educational opportunities
• Hiring a superintendent and treasurer
• Overseeing the annual budget
• Approving contracts with district employees as required by law.

Board Meetings
Board meetings are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to attend. Board meetings are held in the library of Newark High School, 314 Granville St., at 6:30 p.m. Also, the board occasionally conducts special meetings when district matters need immediate attention.

Board Agenda
Copies of the board’s agenda are available at the Administrative Service Center, 85 East Main St., in downtown Newark, and online. The agendas also are located near the entrance to the board meeting and contain the following:

• Information about last month’s meeting
• Monthly school reports
• Items for action

Approved board minutes also are available at online.

Public Participation
The board welcomes citizens’ participation at meetings. Those who wish to address the board will be asked to step to the podium and begin by telling the board their name and address. Comments are limited to five minutes. The board encourages residents to bring up issues that affect the district as a whole. Board meetings are not the appropriate place to discuss individual or building-level concerns, or for personnel issues. Also, out of respect to students and staff, the board does not allow personal attacks. Those who violate the policy will be asked to step down immediately. As the board does not have prior knowledge of speakers or topics, please do not be offended if members are unable to offer an immediate response to a person’s comments or questions. If a citizen would like a written response from the board regarding their question or concern, they should complete a Public Participation form, which is available at the meeting, and hand it to a board member, the superintendent or treasurer. Written comments should be sent to the Newark Board of Education, c/o Treasurer’s Office, Newark City Schools, 85 E. Main St., Newark, Ohio 43055.

Executive sessions
Ohio law permits board members to hold private discussions during a meeting. Executive sessions allow members to discuss personnel matters, property purchases, possible legal action, employment negotiations, security arrangements and items the law says must be kept confidential. Because Ohio law says all votes must be cast in public, executive sessions are for discussion purposes only.

Superintendent’s role
The superintendent administers the district’s educational and co-curriculum programs and carries out board policies. The superintendent has the ultimate responsibility for curriculum, staffing, evaluation and all other educational services. The superintendent is directly responsible to the board. All other employees of the district, with the exception of the treasurer, are responsible to the superintendent.

Treasurer’s role
The treasurer administers, in cooperation with the superintendent, the financial, legal and contractual business of the district. The treasurer is not a member of the board. Instead, the treasurer is an employee of the board.