The Troy Area School District is divided into three regions. There are nine school directors, three from each region, who are elected for a term of four years.
What is a School Board?
A school board is a legislative body of citizens called school directors, who are elected locally by the district’s citizens. School board directors serve as agents of the state legislature. Each board consists of nine members who serve four-year terms of office; without pay. They are designated by school law to administer the school system in each district.
In addition to the nine member board, the board employs a lawyer to advise and administer school law, a secretary to maintain accurate records of the school board’s meetings and business, and a treasurer who is in charge of the business affairs of the district.
The board also appoints the superintendent. The superintendent serves as a non-voting member of the board and, with the rest of the administrative team, acts as a professional resource for the educational and financial actions of the board.
Board Responsibilities and Duties
The board sets policies and does planning within the guidelines of the Pennsylvania School Code. Providing a free public education has three broad board functions: planning, setting policy and evaluating results . The board is required to do long range planning (strategic planning) to be filed with the Department of Education. The board sets the policies that govern the TASD so the daily operations follow law and local needs. Finally the board must evaluate the results of its planning.
Some other duties include:
=Approve school calendars.
=Elect a superintendent and hire employees.
=Enter into written contracts with bargaining units.
=Adopt an annual budget.
=Levy taxes.
=Provide appropriate and safe facilities.
=Approve all matters relating to finances.
=Retain minutes, auditor’s reports, financial reports and other documents.
The Board meets on the second and third Tuesday of each month, at 6:00 p.m. in the Community room at the District office. Special meetings and committee meetings are scheduled as needed throughout the month. All special meetings and committee meetings are advertised in the Towanda Daily Review at least one day prior to the meeting. If there is any change to this schedule, a public notice will be posted on the front entrance of the High School and at the Administration Office. All regular and advertised meetings and work sessions are open to the public.
The Board also has committees who meet as needed to receive education or discuss matters related to their task. The committees are: Technology; Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; Budget, Finance and Transportation; Buildings and Grounds; Policy; Student Affairs; and Community Relations. Sub-committees are created and staffed as needed. A Board member also represents the Troy Area School District on the advisory board for Northern Tier Career and Technology Center, BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 and as a liaison with Pennsylvania School Boards Association.
For information regarding board policies or meeting dates and times, please contact the School Board Secretary at 570-297-2750.