About Our School Board
The Board, consisting of nine elected individuals, acts as a legislative body within the framework of state laws and regulations. School boards were created by the state legislature in 1834 to help implement the state constitutional mandate to provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the commonwealth. Decision-making power is limited to group decisions exercised only at duly advertised public "sunshine" meetings.
On December 6, 2011, the Board of School Directors of the School District of Springfield Township unanimously approved the district's submission of the Code of Conduct to PSBA, joining 494 other PA school districts who have adopted this code of conduct.
Please click here to view the PSBA Code of Conduct for Members of Pennsylvania School Boards
The Board works to ensure the Strategic Plan is implemented with fidelity. The Board is committed to the educational mission of the district which demands educational excellence for every child. The Board is responsible for employing the superintendent. The Board also adopts policies and approves contracts.
What does a School Board do?
- Establishes Policies
- Adopts Annual Budget
- Levies Taxes
- Approves Expenditures
- Sets School Calendar
- Approves Curriculum Changes
- Superintendent, School Board Secretary, and Student Representative serve as non-voting members
- The Solicitor, elected and hired for a stipulated fee by the Board, advises the Board in legal matters and completes various legal activities involving the School District
What Are the Qualifications for School Board Membership?
- Citizen of Pennsylvania
- 18 Years of Age
- School District Resident for One Year Prior to Election
- Term of Office is Four Years
When Does Your Board Meet?
Regular bi-monthly meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 7:00 pm in the Middle School Audion. The 1st Tuesday of the month is for discussion, and the 3rd Tuesday of the month is for voting and approval
School vacations, holidays, budget deadlines, and board reorganization may change these dates and are advertised in advance.
How Do You Address the Board?
Public comment is encouraged and welcomed at both planning meetings and regular monthly board meetings. The following guidelines will permit meetings to move smoothly and allow sufficient time for all comments to be heard:
- Public comment will be initiated twice during the Regular Monthly Board Meeting: early in the agenda and at the end of the meeting. Please sign up before the meeting starts if you wish to comment
- All comments and questions will be addressed to the chair
- Board and staff members will not normally respond to comments or questions from the public during the meeting unless recognized by the chair for this purpose
- When a large number of citizens wish to make statements, the chair may limit individual presentations to three (3) minutes.