ASD File: BBBE
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
UNEXPIRED TERM FULFILLMENT

The School Board shall fill vacancies occurring on the Board by appointment until the next School District election in accordance with RSA 197:26.

In the event that a vacancy or vacancies occur(s) during the term of office of any board member causing the membership of the Board to be less than three, the unexpired term or terms of office shall be filled as follows:
1. Solicit names of voters in the district who are willing to serve with appropriate notice of the same through public notification serving the community. Published notification will be made no later than ten days prior to a regularly scheduled board meeting.
2. Appointment Process:
a. All qualified applicants shall be given due consideration.
b. All applicants shall have the opportunity to address the Board and the public during the Board’s selection meeting.
c. Voting shall be conducted in open session, and a process leading to the appointment of a new board member(s) can begin only after the tendered date of resignation of the previous board member(s).
d. A majority vote of the Board shall confirm the appointment.
3. The appointment is only for that period of time until the next election of school district officers as stipulated in RSA 197:26.

RSA 197:26 Vacancies. The School Board shall fill vacancies occurring on the Board, and in other district offices, except that of moderator, until the next annual meeting of the district. In case of vacancy of the entire membership of the Board, or the remaining members are unable to agree upon an appointment, the selectmen, upon application of one or more voters in the district, shall fill the vacancies so existing until the next annual meeting of the district.

Statutory References:
RSA 197:26, School Meetings & Officers: Vacancies
RSA 371:33, School District Elections: Vacancies

Adopted: October 12, 1999
Reviewed: December 12, 2017

ASD File: BBBB
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD MEMBER OATH OF OFFICE

Newly elected members of the Auburn School Board shall be required to take an oath of office as
described in RSA 42:1 which states, as follows:

RSA 42:1 Oath Required. Every town officer shall make and subscribe the
oath or declaration as prescribed by part 2, article 84 of the Constitution of New
Hampshire and any such person who violates said oath after taking the same
shall be forthwith dismissed from the office involved.

In accordance with part 2, Article 84 of the New Hampshire Constitution, said oath will be as
follows:

Article 84. Oath of Civil Officers. Any person chosen governor, councilor, senator, or
representative, military or civil officer, (town officers excepted) accepting the trust, shall, before
he proceeds to execute the duties of his office, make and subscribe the following declaration,
viz.—

I, A. B. do solemnly swear, that I will bear faith and true allegiance to the United States of
America and the State of New Hampshire, and will support the constitutions thereof. So help me
God.

I, A. B. do solemnly and sincerely swear and affirm that I will faithfully and impartially discharge
and perform all the duties incumbent on me as ……………………………… , according to the best
of my abilities, agreeably to the rules and regulations of this constitution and laws of the state of
New Hampshire. So help me God.

Any person having taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance, and the same being filed in the
secretary’s office, he shall not be obliged to take said oath again.

Provided always, when any person chosen or appointed as aforesaid, shall be of the
denomination called Quakers, or shall be scrupulous of swearing, and shall decline taking the said
oaths, such person shall take and subscribe them, omitting the word “swear,” and likewise the
words “So help me God,” subjoining instead thereof, “This I do under the pains and penalties of
perjury.”

Statutory References:
RSA 42:1 Article 84, NH Constitution

Adopted: October 12, 1999

ASD File: BBB
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS

The Auburn School Board shall be comprised of five members as authorized by vote at the
Auburn School District Election and in accordance with RSA 671:14 which states:

RSA 671:14 Qualifications. Any person domiciled in the school district who
is qualified to vote as provided in RSA 654:1-654:2 and 654:4-654:6 and who is
on the school district checklist shall be entitled to vote at any school district
election.

Legal Reference: RSA 671:4

Adopted: October 12, 1999
Revised: June 11, 2013

ASD File: BBB-R
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
OATH OF OFFICE

I ,____________________________________ of ____________________________________ do
solemnly swear that I will bear faith and true allegiance to the United States of America and the
State of New Hampshire, and will support the Constitution thereof. So help me God.

_____________________________________________________________
Signature

I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as

_______________________________________________________________
Title of Office

According to the best of my abilities, agreeably to the rules and regulations of this Constitution
and laws of the State of New Hampshire. So help me God.

_____________________________________________________________
Signature

State of New Hampshire

________________SS
County

On the _____ day of ___________________________________________ two thousand _____

the said ______________________________________________________ took and subscribed
the above oaths.

Before me, _______________________________________________
Moderator, Clerk, Justice of the Peace

To be returned to the office of the School District Clerk

Adopted: June 19, 2002

ASD File: BBAA
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD MEMBER AUTHORITY

All powers of the School Board lie in its action as a group.

The authority of individual Board members is limited to participating in actions taken by the Board as a whole when legally in session. Board members shall not assume responsibilities of administrators or other staff members. The Board or staff shall not be bound in any way by any action taken or statement made by any individual Board member, except when such statement or action is pursuant to specific instructions and official action taken by the Board.

Each Board member should review the agenda and any study materials distributed prior to the meeting and be prepared to participate in the discussion and decision-making for each agenda item. Each agenda will provide an opportunity for Board members to comment on District activities and/or educational issues. These comments may become topics for future Board discussions.

Board members may occasionally serve on committees or organizations for the purpose of reciprocal communication and report back to the Board. Committee assignments will be made by the Chairperson with Board approval.

Each member is obligated to attend Board meetings regularly. Whenever possible, each Board member shall give advance notice to the Chairperson or Superintendent of his/her inability to attend a Board meeting.

An individual board member, including the chairperson, has power only when the Board by vote has delegated authority to him or her.

The School Board is primarily a policy-making body. The Superintendent is the legally delegated representative for this body.

Statutory References:
RSA 91-A:2, Meetings Open to Public, RSA 91-A:2a, Communication Outside Meetings, and NH Code of Administrative Rules-Section Ed. 303

Adopted: January 13, 1983
Adopted: October 12, 1999
Revised: September 12, 2017

ASD File: BBA
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

School Boards shall exercise all the powers and duties prescribed to them by applicable state and federal laws and rules of the New Hampshire State Board of Education.

The following are current duties for School Boards prescribed by the State Board of Education:
a. The School Board shall adopt such policies as are necessary and desirable to control and effectuate the recruitment, employment, evaluation, and dismissal of teachers and other employees and may delegate authority to the Superintendent of Schools to carry out the provisions of such policies provided that no teacher shall be employed who is not certified or has not been nominated by the Superintendent of Schools and elected by the School Board.
b. The School Board shall adopt such policies as are necessary and desirable to control and effectuate the purchase of equipment, supplies, or services and may delegate to the Superintendent of Schools the authority to make financial commitments in accordance with such policy.
c. The School Board shall, through documented planning and public meetings and quorum votes, make suitable provision for the physical accommodation of all students in approved schools or other facilities in accordance with state law.
d. The School Board shall provide required transportation of students consistent with these rules and provide that all school buildings and other learning environments be maintained in a manner with standards of health and safety as required by these rules.
e. The School Board shall prepare an annual budget in accordance with RSA 32 and comply with all federal and state laws and rules.
f. They shall hold meetings for the transaction of business at least once in two months and shall require the attendance of the Superintendent or his/her designee. The Board shall cause a written record to be kept of each meeting in accordance with RSA 91-A.
g. The School Board shall in consultation with the Superintendent and in accordance with
statutes and rules of the State Board of Education, determine the educational goals of the District, develop long-range plans and identify measurable and attainable short-term objectives. The School Board shall require the implementation of educational programs designed to reflect the goals and objectives and, further, the School Board shall review such programs and make public the results of such investigation.
h. The School Board shall exercise all powers and perform all duties vested in and imposed upon the School Board by law or rules of the State Board.
i. The School Board shall adopt a rule to ensure that there shall be no unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, race, age, creed, color, marital status, national origin, or disability in educational programs or activities consistent with local standards which may be stricter in specific areas than the broader statewide standards.
j. The School Board shall establish a policy on sexual harassment, written in age appropriate language and published and available in written form to all those who must comply, which includes, at a minimum, the elements specified below:
(1) A statement that sexual harassment is against the law and against school district
policy;
(2) A definition of sexual harassment with examples of actions that might constitute sexual harassment;
(3) The names and roles of all persons involved in implementing the procedures;
(4) A description of the process so all parties know what to expect, including time frames and deadlines for investigation and resolution of complaints;
(5) A prohibition against retaliation toward anyone involved in a complaint;
(6) A description of possible penalties including termination;
(7) A requirement that a written factual report be produced regardless of the outcome of the investigation;
(8) At least one level of appeal of the investigators recommendation;
(9) A clear statement that someone can bypass the internal process and
Proceed directly to the New Hampshire commission on human rights, with address and phone number, or office of civil rights, with address and phone number; and
(k) Annually evaluate the Superintendent based on written criteria established by the SAU board.

Legal References:
RSA 189:1-a, RSA 195:5, and
Revised: January 13, 2009 NH Admin Rules Sec. Ed 303:01

Adopted: November 13, 1980
Adopted: October 12, 1999

ASD File: BAAA
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

Generally
The policies of the Auburn School Board are intended to establish the general and overall rules within which day-to-day operations of the school district are to be governed. Procedures for carrying out and implementing the broad policies of the Board on a day-to-day basis are to be fashioned and adopted by the administration, under the direction of the Superintendent. As applicable, members of the district community are expected to comply with both board policy and administrative procedures, subject to the limitations and exceptions set forth herein. However, the failure of the Board or the Administration to comply with policy shall not invalidate any lawful action taken.

Contents of Board Policy and Administrative Procedure
The policies of the Board shall be composed of:
1. The policies contained in this Policy Manual.
2. The contents of administrative job descriptions adopted by the Board.
3. All formal Student Handbooks.
4. All formal Employee Handbooks.

Administrative procedure is not part of the board policy and may be altered by the administration without board action. Administrative procedure, however, may not conflict with board policy.

Limitations of Policy
Neither the policies of the Board nor the procedures of the administration are intended, nor shall they be construed, to supersede or preempt any applicable laws, whether constitutional, statutory, regulatory, or common in origin. Consequently, all board policies and administrative procedures shall be given both an interpretation and application which is lawful. The Board shall have the final interpretation of its policies and the administration shall have the final interpretation of its procedures.

As the Board policies and administrative procedures are limited by legal constraints, so too are the rights of those to whom the board policies and administrative procedures apply. Neither the policies of the Board nor the procedures of the administration are intended to expand the rights of individuals beyond those established by law or to give to any individual a cause of action not independently established in law. Enforcement of board policy shall rest exclusively with the Board, and enforcement of administrative procedures shall rest exclusively with the administration.

Board policy and administrative procedure shall not preempt, create, supplant, expand or restrict the rights or liabilities of students, employees, taxpayers, or others within the school district beyond those that are established in law and are not intended to restrict or limit students, employees, or other members of the school district community from pursuing any claims or defenses available under law.

Exceptions
Exceptions to any policy or the application of any policy may be made if requested or recommended in accordance with the following procedures:
1. Any person may request an exception to any board policy or the application of same by submitting a letter to the Superintendent. The request shall identify:
a. The name, address, and telephone number of the person making the request.
b. The policy for which the exception is being requested.
c. The action that the requesting individual desires.
d. The rationale supporting the need for an exception.
2. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall conduct a sufficient investigation of any request for an exception and make a determination. Among the factors to be evaluated are the relevant facts related to the request, the rationale of both the policy and the request for the exception; and the disposition of prior requests for exceptions to the same or similar policies. Should the parties involved disagree with the Superintendent’s decision, an appeal may be made to the Auburn School Board.
3. The Board shall have final and exclusive authority to determine whether to grant any request for an exception and shall be the sole judge of whether the rationale for the exception is sufficient, taking into consideration the recommendation of the Superintendent. Moveover, the granting of exceptions in the same or similar cases shall not constitute binding precedent or practice inasmuch as the prior grant of an exception may establish that the granting of an exception is ill-advised.
4. Exceptions to administrative procedure shall be made in accordance with the procedures established by the Superintendent.

Adopted: November 27, 2001

ASD File: BA
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
ANNUAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Each year the Auburn School Board will formulate goals and objectives. The goals and objectives may include but are not limited to the board functions of visions, structure, accountability, and advocacy.

At the conclusion of the year, the Board shall reflect on the degree to which the goals and objectives have been accomplished.

Regulatory Reference: Ed. 303.01 (g)

Adopted: November 27, 2001

ASD File: BGB
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY ADOPTION

Except for policy actions to be taken on emergency measures, the adoption of Board policies should follow this sequence, which will take place at least at two meetings of the Board:
1. Proposed, new or revised policies will be a Board agenda item.
2. Opportunity offered to concerned groups or individuals to react to policy proposals.
3. Discussion and final action by the Board on policy proposals.

The final vote to adopt should follow by at least two weeks from the meeting at which policy proposals are first placed on the agenda.
1. Prior to enactment, all policy proposals shall be titled and coded as appropriate to subject and in conformance with the codification system used in the Board policy manual.
2. Insofar as possible, each policy statement shall be limited to one subject.
3. Policies and amendments adopted by the Board shall be attached to and made a part of the minutes of the meeting at which they are adopted and shall also be included in the policy manual of the District marked with the date of adoption and/or amendment.
4. Policies and amendments to policies shall be effective immediately upon adoption unless a specific effective date is provided in the adopted resolution.

Emergency Procedure
On matters of unusual urgency, the Board may waiver the two-week limitation and take immediate action to adopt new or revise existing polices. When such immediate action is necessary, the Superintendent shall inform concerned groups or individuals about the reasons for this necessity.

Adopted: October 12, 1999
Revised: March 13, 2018

ASD File: BGA
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM

The Board endorses for use in this District the policy development, codification, and dissemination system of the National School Boards Association (EPS/NSBA).

This system, as modified to meet local needs, is to serve as a general guideline for such tasks as policy research, the drafting of preliminary policy proposals, reviewing policy drafts with concerned groups, presenting new and revised policies to the Board for consideration and action, policy dissemination, policy evaluation, and the maintenance of a continuously and easy-to-use policy manual.

System Maintenance
A member of the SAU staff is to be designated and delegated by the Superintendent with the responsibility to maintain the Board’s policy reference files, to draft policy proposals as instructed by the Board and/or Superintendent, to maintain the Board policy manual, and to serve as liaison between the Board, the New Hampshire School Boards Association, State Board of Education, and other sources of policy research information.

Adopted: October 12, 1999
Reviewed: March 13, 2018

ASD File: BGC
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY REVIEW AND EVALUATION/MANUAL ACCURACY CHECK

In an effort to keep its written policies up-to-date so that they may be used consistently as a basis for Board action and administrative decision, the Board will review its policies on a continuing basis.

The Board will evaluate how the policies have been executed by the school staff and weigh the results. It will rely on the school staff, students, and the community for providing evidence of the effect of the policies which it has adopted.

The Superintendent is given the continuing responsibility of calling to the Board’s attention all policies that are out of date or appear to need revision for other reasons.

Adopted: October 12, 1999
Revised: March 13, 2018