Job description
School board members are responsible for broad, futuristic thinking, minute analysis and decisive action in all areas that affect students and staff in their Schools. Some roles and responsibilities are implicit. Others are specifically mandated (A.R.S. SS15-341) or allowed (SS15-342) by Arizona law. Everything board members do is focused on providing the best education possible for the children in their community. Set the Direction The governing board, with extensive involvement from the staff and community, is responsible for envisioning the future of the public Schools in their community. After setting the vision and mission for the district, the governing board works collaboratively to establish strategic goals to move the organization toward the community's vision for its Schools. Establish the Structure Board policies and goals establish the structure and create the environment for ensuring that all students are served. The superintendent uses the structure established by the board to manage operations on a day-to-day basis. Although the superintendent may suggest changes to policies, only the board as a whole has the legal authority to adopt policy. Provide Support The board provides support to its organization by ensuring that resources are adequate and aligned to meet established goals. Support also is provided by recognizing and encouraging excellence throughout the organization. Ensure Accountability As the community's representative in the local Schools, the board is responsible for ensuring that the Schools are well run - that resources are used wisely and that high standards for academic performance are set. The board as a whole needs to monitor performance to meet established goals - academic, financial and operational. Advocate for Your Students One of the board's most important roles is to be the ambassador for public education in the community. As individuals, each board member can help communicate the ways in which their local Schools are supporting student educational needs, parent and community aspirations, and state and federal standards. Together, the board also can demonstrate that an atmosphere of collaboration and respect is the most conducive environment for providing the best education for children in the community.
Eligibility requirements
A person who is a registered voter of this state and has been a resident of the school district for at least one year immediately preceding the day of election is eligible for election to the office of governing board member. No employee of a school district, including a person who directly provides certified or classified services to the school district as an employee of a third-party contractor, or the spouse of such an employee may hold membership on a governing board of a school district by which the employee is employed. A member of one governing board is ineligible to be a candidate for nomination or election to or serve simultaneously as a member of any other governing board, except that a member of a governing board may be a candidate for nomination or election for any other governing board if the member is serving in the last year of a term of office. A member of a governing board shall resign the member's seat on the governing board before becoming a candidate for nomination or election to the governing board of any other school district, unless the member of the governing board is serving in the last year of a term of office. (ARS 15-421)
Filing instructions
Filing office address: 111 S 3rd Ave #102 Phoenix, AZ 85003
Filing phone number: 602-506-1511
Paperwork instructions: Submit paperwork to the county school superintendent's office.
Filing requirements: No filing fee. Petition signature requirement of 0.5% of the total voter registration in the school district or career technical education district.