"Duties and Responsibilities of the Board of Education"

By Harriet Russell

The duties, responsibilities and scope of the Board of Education include A. To establish educational goals for the Cincinnati Public Schools and for the Board of Education itself. B. To initiate and pass upon matters of policy. C. To consider and pass upon the recommendations of the Superintendent in matters of policy, appointment or dismissal of certificated employees, salary schedules, or other personnel regulations, courses of study, selection of textbooks, or other matters pertaining to the welfare of the schools. D. To select and evaluate the Superintendent of Schools. E. To select and evaluate the Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer. F. To provide for the preparation and adoption of the annual budget. G. To provide, by the exercise of its taxing power, the funds necessary to finance the operation of the schools. H. To make rules and regulations for the operation of the schools under its control. I. To appraise the effectiveness with which the schools are achieving the educational goals of the Board of Education. J. To solicit and weigh public opinion as it affects the schools, and to inform the public concerning the progress and needs of the schools.

In addition the Board working with the Superintendent, the district Treasurer, and the Ohio School Facilities Commission must provide the legal oversight for the implementation of the $985 million Facilities Master Plan. Meetings are necessary 1) for the oversight of this Plan to come in on time and within the funding provided by the voters; 2) for the review of designs; and 3) for the authorization and the approval of bids for the work of each project at each location.

Therefore, the Board of Education should meet regularly to fulfill its duties and responsibilities.