MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION
Office: 380 Zurich Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Mail: PO Box 203, Clinton, MS 39060
Phone: 601-924-2001
Fax:601-924-2002
Toll Free:888-367-6722
Effective School Board MembersSpecific DutiesSchool Board Members and Boards DO NOTGeneral Eligibility Common Questions Getting Started
Effective School Board Members
- Have good communication skills
- Are able to accept criticism
- Demonstrate good reasoning and critical thinking skills
- Can manage stressful situations
- Are able to commit substantial time to board work
- Take responsibility for actions
- Maintain a good sense of humor
- Are respected in their communities
- Understand the board’s roles and responsibilities
- Have the courage to make difficult decisions
- Understand that the board sets the standards for the district though board policy
- Understand that the board makes decisions as a team and that individual board members may not commit the board to any action
- Insist that all board and district business is conducted ethically and honestly
Specific Duties
Duties of school boards are related to visioning, goal setting, budgeting, purchasing, employment, and policies. Duties include:
- Evaluating the superintendent (all districts) and hiring the superintendent (some districts)
- Approving and monitoring the budget
- Setting salaries for employees
- Approving purchases
- Establishing district policies
- Adopting the school calendar
- Ensuring local policies comply with all state and federal laws and regulations
- Building schools and closing schools
- Establishing district vision
- Establishing district goals and monitoring progress
- Assess board effectiveness
- Approving personnel actions based on superintendent’s recommendation
School Board Members and Boards DO NOT
Implement policy. School boards adopt policy. Superintendents carry out policies and manage the day-to-day operations of the school district.
Evaluate staff, teachers, or any employee except the superintendent. Boards should not become involved in employment interviews or employee evaluations.
Direct activities of any employee except the superintendent. The superintendent manages the daily activities of all district employees.
General Eligibility
Board members must be bona fide residents and qualified electors of the school district.
Board members must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Board members are required to complete a basic course of training (12 hours) for new board members conducted by MSBA.
Each year, board members are required to complete 6-hours of continuing education conducted or approved by MSBA.
Common Questions
How many meetings must I attend?
That depends on the district. Boards usually hold one regular meeting each month and then special meetings as dictated by needs. Some boards do hold regular bi-monthly meetings. There is a requirement to attend 80% of all meetings or a pro-rata share of your compensation should be returned to the district.
What is the compensation?
By law, board members receive no more than $200 per month. Most districts do cover travel expenses to required meetings and some conferences. However, this may vary by district as determined in local policy.
May my spouse be employed in the district?
No. The spouse of a board member may not be employed in the district. Mississippi State Constitution Section 109
Getting Started
The structure and terms of board members in Mississippi varies depending on the type district. There are usually seats open for election on county boards during regular November elections. In municipal districts, usually one seat is open for appointment each year in January-February.
You should contact your local school district office for the election/appointment cycle and deadlines.
Board Policy on Honors Hours
Honors Program credit will be given for school board members and superintendents who attend the following MSBA and Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) conferences and who submit to MSBA a “Statement of Certification” for COSSBA meetings attended:
MSBA Conferences/Seminars
- Annual Conference
- Fall Leadership Conference
- Policy Conference
- Legal Hot Topics
- Southern Region Leadership Conference
COSSBA Conferences
- Annual Conference
MSBA shall only award continuing education credit for conferences, training sessions, seminars, retreats, or other school board member professional development activities offered by MSBA that are open to all board members statewide and publicized through MSBA and/or COSSBA at least thirty (30) days in advance of such continuing education training.
Whole Board Awards
MORTAR BOARD HONOR AWARD
- Minimum 24 hours for MSBA core modules*
- No board member with fewer than 12 hours
- MDE District Rating – A, B, or C
- Adoption of MSBA governance standards
- District must be in good standing as defined by the MDE Office of Accreditation
GAVEL CIRCLE HONOR AWARD
- Minimum 12 hours for MSBA core modules*
- No board member with fewer than 12 hours
- MDE District Rating – A, B, or C
- Adoption of MSBA governance standards
- District must be in good standing as defined by the MDE Office of Accreditation
DIPLOMA CIRCLE HONOR AWARD
- Minimum 120 hours for board-as-a-whole
- No board member with fewer than 24 hours
- District must be in good standing as defined by the MDE Office of Accreditation
RED APPLE ATTENDANCE AWARD
- This BOARD attendance award is based only on total hours for the whole board and is presented to the SCHOOL BOARD with the highest number of MSBA-approved board training hours earned during the school year.
BOARDS OF MERIT AWARD
- Boards with a total of 100 or more MSBA-approved board training hours earned during the school year
*Core modules are the two, three-hour courses MSBA provides regionally each year.
Individual Awards
BOARD MEMBERS
- John L. Hartman Memorial Award
Criteria: Based only on total hours earned. This award goes to the board member with the highest number of MSBA approved training hours earned during the school year. - Distinguished Circle
Criteria: Presented to the board members who earn 42 or more MSBA approved training hours during the school year.
BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS
- Premier Circle
Criteria: Presented to board members and superintendents who earn 30 to 41 MSBA approved training hours during the school year.
- Master Circle
Criteria: Presented to board members and superintendents who earn 24-29 MSBA approved training hours during the school year.
- SuperAttendant Award
Criteria: Presented to the superintendent with the highest number of MSBA approved training hours, in recognition of superintendents who attend training with their board members.
The Beacon Award
The Beacon Award is based on the following criteria:
- “A” rated school district
- All schools rated “C” or higher
- District in good standing as defined by the MDE Office of Accreditation*
*Districts in good standing as defined by the MDE Office of Accreditation through the 2023-2024 District Accreditation Statuses Approved by the Commission on School Accreditation on Ocotber 26, 2023. Click the Mississippi Department of Education’s logo below to view the MDE District Accreditation Statuses.
The Lantern Award
The Lantern Award is based on the following criteria:
- “B” rated school district
- All schools rated “C” or higher
- District in good standing as defined by the MDE Office of Accreditation*
*Districts in good standing as defined by the MDE Office of Accreditation through the 2023-2024 District Accreditation Statuses Approved by the Commission on School Accreditation on Ocotber 26, 2023. Click the Mississippi Department of Education’s logo below to view the MDE District Accreditation Statuses.
The Torch Award
The Torch Award is based on the following criteria:
- District rated “C” or higher
- All schools rated “C” or higher
- At least one school rated “B” or above
- 90% Free/Reduced Lunch
- District in good standing as defined by the MDE Office of Accreditation*
*Districts in good standing as defined by the MDE Office of Accreditation through the 2023-2024 District Accreditation Statuses Approved by the Commission on School Accreditation on Ocotber 26, 2023. Click the Mississippi Department of Education’s logo below to view the MDE District Accreditation Statuses.