School Board Looks to Fill Vacancy of School Board Member.
The New Prague Area School Board accepted the resignation of Board Member Dan Carlson at their June 28, 2010 meeting and have declared a vacancy on the school board. According to Minnesota law, "the care, management, and control of independent districts shall be vested in a board of directors, to be known as the school board." Following the process dictated by Minnesota Statutes which states that any vacancies on a school board must be filled, the school board, with the guidance of the Minnesota School Board Association, has opted to fill the vacancy using the application process. Being a board member is a complex and varied position, and often is frustrating as you struggle long hours with difficult choices. However, it is also rewarding, as you watch students succeed and go on to lead productive lives as the result of educational opportunities you helped to create. There are certain implications in being responsible for the entire district which you may want to consider. Decisions need to reflect what is in the best interest of all students and all citizens. This demands a constant effort and strong commitment to serving other people.

What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of the School Board?
The major function of the school board is to provide leadership, policy development, policy oversight, and communication. This is usually accomplished by adopting policies which the administrators and staff carry out. Areas for which the board is responsible for policy include but are not limited to: Educational program development and monitoring, Student assessment, Student support services, Employee relations including hiring, in-service, and evaluation, Instructional materials, Facility use, Extracurricular activities and Board operations. Other Board roles include: Budget adoption, revenue management, and expenditure authorization, Superintendent selections, contract, and evaluation, Long range planning, Ratifying collective bargaining agreements, Care and maintenance of facilities, Public relations, Legislative involvement. The qualities of leadership that have been identified are: integrity, perseverance, commitment, ability to plan, vision, initiative, and courage. Effective board members share a number of these characteristics and are also able to work as a team member.

What Makes a Good Board Member?
Effective school board members share a number of common characteristics, but it's important to realize they did not become effective the instant they were elected. Many qualities are acquired through experience and are important to consider: A conviction that public education is important, The ability to make decisions, Loyalty to the democratic process, Time and energy to devote to board business, including board development opportunities, Ability to accept the will of the majority, Respect for district staff , Ability to communicate well with others and Courage.

The application to become a school board member can be found on the school district website here (or the link below) or picked up at the office of the superintendent. Residents of New Prague School District that are interested in applying for the school board position are asked to complete the application (see link to access application form) and return to the Superintendent's office. Completed forms can be dropped off at the office of the Superintendent located in the District Office at 410 Central Ave No. New Prague MN, 56071 and will be accepted until the closing of business on July 16, 2010 at 3:30 pm.. Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than July 16th, 2010 and sent to District Office, Attn: Board Application, 410 Central Ave North, New Prague MN 56071 in order to be accepted. Completed forms can also be emailed to msticha@np.k12.mn.us.

If you have questions regarding the vacancy, they can be directed to:
Chairperson Jerry Walerius at jwalerius@np.k12.mn.us or by phone at 952-758-3744 or 952-913-3769 or Vice Chair Larry Pint at lpint@np.k12.mn.us or by phone at 952-758-3450.

Deadline for applying for the vacancy is July 16 at 3:30 pm. Candidate interviews will begin the week of July 26th with appointment being made following the interview of all candidates. The oath of office will be administered at the School Board Work Session on August 9th.

Application for School Board Candidate Appointment

*excerpts taken from "Becoming a Board Member" (MSBA)