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  • 601-924-2001 or 888-367-6722
  • msba@msbaonline.org

 

MSBA Administrative Office and Training Complex

380 Zurich Drive 

Ridgeland, MS 39157

Contact Us

Considering School Board Service?

Why Board Service Is Important

We applaud your interest in becoming a member of your local school board. The Mississippi School Boards Association is committed to quality leadership and advocacy for students in public schools. As such, we are dedicated to supporting the efforts of potential and future school board governing members. School board member legal powers and duties are outlined in the Mississippi Code of 1972, Section 37-7-301, et al.

Serving as a member of your local school board is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs you will ever undertake. It also is an enormous responsibility. As a school board member, the decisions you make will affect students and their parents, the livelihood of school district employees, and the economic well-being of your community. Service to a board requires time, energy, a willingness to learn about issues affecting your schools, and a passion for a public education system committed to providing the best and most appropriate education for all students entrusted to your care.

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:

  • Hiring and evaluating the superintendent
  • 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
  • Assessing 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.

School board members:

  • 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.
  • Board members are required to complete 6 hours of continuing education training each year conducted by MSBA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can board members earn 6 hours in one day?

Yes. Board members may earn all six hours by attending one of the all-day Saturday workshops or one of the daylong statewide meetings. (The schedule includes 3-hour workshops during the evening hours.) There is also a possibility that board members may receive credit for attending certain, specially-planned meetings of regional school boards associations.

How long do I have to earn 6 hours?

Board members have from July 1 to June 30 each year to get their required six (6) hours school board continuing education.

Can board development hours be carried over into next year?

No. Continuing board members must earn six (6) hours each fiscal year (July 1-June 30). Board members who earn significantly more than the required hours will be included in the Board Member Honors Program.

Can credit hours be earned at MSBA Conferences?
  • The MSBA Annual Conference (total of 9 hours available)
  • The MSBA Fall Leadership Conference (total of 6 hours available)
  • The Policy Conference
  • The MSBA Legislative Update (total of 6 hours available)
  • Legal Hot Topics Seminar
What is the compensation for serving as a board member?

By law, board members receive annual compensation based on student enrollment:
a) Less than five thousand (5,000) students enrolled in the school district, the person shall receive an annual salary of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00);
(b) At least five thousand (5,000) students but less than ten thousand (10,000) students enrolled in the school district, the person shall receive an annual salary of not less than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) but not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00); and
(c) Greater than ten thousand (10,000) students enrolled in the school district, the person shall receive an annual salary of not less than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) but not more than Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00). 

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