As a resident of the Pennridge School District, you have control over your public schools. The board invites you to attend board and committee meetings and take an active role in the educational affairs of your community. The decisions of your elected school board affect your child, your child’s future, your tax rates, the well-being of your community, and, in the long run, the well-being of your country.

The board encourages all parents and community members to keep informed and interested in your schools, express your views and communicate with board members, elect the best qualified candidates and participate in parent-teacher groups and on special committees when possible.

What Is a School Board and What Does It Do?

A school board is a legislative body of citizens called school directors who are elected locally by their fellow citizens to serve as agents of the state legislature. Each board consists of nine members who serve four-year terms without pay.

The school board is responsible to:

• adopt courses of study and text books
• establish the length of school term
• adopt the annual budget
• elect the superintendent and hire necessary employees
• levy taxes
• enter into written contracts with professional employees and into collective bargaining agreements
• provide and maintain necessary grounds and school buildings
• prescribe, adopt, and enforce reasonable rules and regulations regarding school activities, publications and organizations

How Are Board Members Elected?

Elections for board members are held every two years in November of odd-numbered years using a 5-4 member rotation to ensure continuity. To become a school board candidate, interested individuals must file a petition signed by at least 10 qualified voters of the school district for the political party which the petition will be filed. Candidates must be a citizen of Pennsylvania, at least 18 years old, of good moral character, and a resident of the school district for at least one year prior to the election.

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Board Meetings

The Pennridge School Board meets regularly on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the District Administration Office unless otherwise noted. All board and committee meeting dates are published at least one week in advance in local media. Dates and agendas are also available on the web at http://www.pennridge,org/psd/mtgns.html

All official business is conducted in open public sessions. Executive sessions are permitted by law for discussion of personnel matters, purchase or lease of land, legal matters, and matters to be kept confidential by federal law or state statutes and quasi-judicial deliberations.

Anyone wishing to formally address the board may do so by attending any of the regularly scheduled meetings.

Committee Meetings

Major committees meet regularly to plan, review, and discuss items within the special focus of the committee. Board directors and administrative personnel serve on all district committees. The public may attend all open, publicized committee meetings. It is at committee meetings that proposals are prepared for the full board. Minor committees meet as needed or regularly to plan and inform board members of activity in these special areas.

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Board of School Directors

To contact all board members about a particular issue, send an email to board@pennridge.org

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Page updated 12/11/2009