WELCOME TO A JEROME SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

We take pride in our school system, and we as a board, are dedicated to the ongoing advancement of Jerome Schools. 

We are committed to fostering open lines of communication and resolving issues efficiently, 

to improve our school system for the benefit of our students and community.

We recognize that patrons of the school district may have concerns from time to time and may feel the need to bring those concerns to the attention of the school or teachers. There are steps in place for addressing concerns, starting from the closest point to the issue and escalating as needed.  

To best resolve these concerns, we recommend to our patrons to follow the steps below:

1. The initial and most effective step is to address the concern with the staff member who is closest to the problem. In many cases, this will be the teacher, coach, or relevant personnel. Experience has shown that most issues are resolved at this level. 

2. If the concern persists after addressing it with the staff member, we recommend bringing it to the attention of the principal. Many unresolved concerns from the previous step are typically satisfactorily addressed by the building administrator.

3. If the concern remains unresolved after involving the principal, we advise taking it to the Assistant Superintendent and/or the Superintendent. Some of the more challenging concerns can usually find resolution at this level of administration.

4. However, if the patron still feels that the concern has not been adequately addressed, they may exercise the right of appeal to the Board of Trustees. It is important to note that our board meetings, while open to the public, are not public forums, and therefore adhere to necessary rules and guidelines for the benefit of all stakeholders involved.

The following guidelines will assist you as you present your information to the board.

1. Preparation: It's important to prepare thoughts ahead of time and it is recommended to provide a brief written outline to each board member to assist them in following the presentation and making notes.

2. Spokesperson: If a group is involved, selecting one individual as a spokesperson to guide the presentation helps maintain clarity and organization.

3. Time Management: Presenters are encouraged to plan their thoughts to be as brief as possible. They are given a specific time limit of 3 minutes to address the board only on agenda items if they sign in before the regular board meeting begins. If more time is needed, they can contact the board clerk at least one week before the meeting to be placed on the agenda for 5 minutes. If you are unable to complete the presentation within the allotted time, providing a written document or testimony prior to the meeting is recommended.

   1. Direct Comments: It's important to direct comments to the board as a whole and not to any individual personally.

   2. Respectful Communication: Comments about individual staff, personnel, or students are not allowed during open meetings but may be discussed in executive sessions.

Following this process ensures transparency and accountability within the school district’s governance structure.  In most cases, the board will direct the administration in addressing concerns raised during the meeting. Please remember that some issues may take time to resolve depending on the complexity of the situation. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Working together, we can cultivate a united culture within our community where we operate as

one town, one team, and one family. Thank you for attending,

Your Board of Trustees, Jerome Jt. School District #261