BOARD OF EDUCATION

Key responsibilities of the board include:

• Adopt District bylaws and policies
• Employ and evaluate the superintendent
• Adopt and oversee the district budget

While the board sets the direction, the superintendent manages the district’s daily operations, ensuring effective leadership and administration. Together, they work to assess and refine policies, procedures, and programs to align with the district’s long-term vision.

The Board of Education values our community’s partnership and recognizes it is essential in supporting the educational excellence we offer in Forest Hills. The public may address the Board at their meetings as indicated on the agenda using the following procedures:

• Per Board action on March 20, 2023, individuals wishing to address the Board should complete a registration card prior to the start of the Public Comments portion of the meeting.
• Remarks by individuals are limited to three minutes. Individuals should state name and organization represented (if applicable). During this time, the Board listens to comments from the public but does not engage in dialogue or render decisions during the business meeting. Comments shared by members of the public at the meeting will be considered by the Board and district administration.
• Persons who are part of a group or organization or who share similar viewpoints are encouraged to designate a spokesperson to address the Board.
• Individuals addressing the Board shall abide by the rules of common courtesy. The meeting cannot be used to make personal attacks against a Board member or district employee, which are totally unrelated to the manner in which the Board member or employee performs his or her duties.

Please see Board Policy 2504 “Public Participation at Board Meetings” for complete rules.

Draft minutes of Board meetings are available for public inspection during regular business hours eight business days after the applicable meeting by contacting the Board of Education Office (616) 493-8800. Approved minutes are available five business days after the meeting at which they were approved. Copies of the approved minutes are available on the district website. Board meeting minutes and supporting documents are also located at the Forest Hills Public Schools Administration Building.

In accordance with Board Policy and the Open Meetings Act, minutes for a meeting open to the public will include at least the following information:

• The meeting date, time, and location;
• The Board members present for or otherwise participating in the meeting;
• The Board members absent from the meeting;
• Board decisions;
• The purpose(s) for which any closed session meeting was held and the specific provision(s) of the Open Meetings Act that permitted the closed session;
• Any roll call votes conducted by the Board and a record of other votes; and
• Corrections, if any.