Policies » Section B: School Board Governance & Operations » BBBH: Recognition Of Organization And Operation Of The School Administrative Unit School Board

Policy Date: 08/13/2024

ASD File: BBBH
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
RECOGNITION OF ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT (SAU) SCHOOL BOARD

A. SAU School Districts: The School Districts of Auburn, Candia, and Hooksett shall constitute SAU #15.

B. SAU Board: The combined school boards of the School Districts.

C. Voting Rights:

RSA 189:45 Representation. Every School District maintaining one or more public schools shall be entitled to three votes on the joint board of School Administrative Units, plus additional votes as provided in RSA 189:46. Districts not maintaining schools shall have one representative on said joint board who shall be entitled to one vote. Each School District board member present shall be entitled to have a proportionate share of the School District’s votes provided that the total votes per district shall be equally divided among said district’s board members present and cast as each member present decides on any issue.

RSA 189:46 Weighted Voting. In all votes regarding School Administrative Unit affairs, including organizing of such unit school board and selection of officers, each district shall be entitled to one additional vote for each 16 pupils residing in that district and enrolled in schools under the administrative unit. A balance of eight or more students shall entitle that district to one additional vote. Less than eight students would have no net effect on a district’s vote. Enrollments shall be based in the average daily membership, as determined by the Department of Education’s General Fall Report (currently Form A12A).

A weighted vote can be called if requested by “a majority of the members of any board present and voting in the School Administrative Unit.”

D. Powers and Duties: The SAU Board is empowered to:
1. Elect, when necessary, a Superintendent.

2. Act upon the Superintendent’s nominations for SAU professional staff.

3. Fix the salaries of all SAU personnel.

4. Adopt a budget for the expenses of the SAU.

5. Adopt policies affecting the SAU.

E. Vacancy on the Board: Any vacancy on the SAU Board shall be filled in accordance with the statute governing the Board of the School District of the resigned member. ASD File: BBBH

F. Election of SAU Professional Staff: When a vacancy occurs in the SAU professional staff, the Superintendent shall establish a screening committee, and serve as its Chairperson (except if the Superintendent’s position is being vacated).

G. Employment of Office Personnel: All other SAU personnel shall be recommended for employment by their immediate supervisor and approved by the Superintendent of Schools.

H. Meetings:
1. Annual: The SAU Board shall meet annually between April 1 and June 1 each year, at a time and place fixed by the Chairperson. The Board shall organize by electing the following officers:
a. Chairperson
b. Vice-Chair
c. Treasurer
d. Secretary
The Board shall elect the professional staff members for the next fiscal year and fix the salaries of all SAU personnel.

2. Semi-Annual: The SAU Board shall hold a meeting between October 15 and December 15 each year for the purpose of preparing a recommended budget for the next fiscal year for the expenses of the SAU.

3. Budget Hearing – Public: There shall be held within the SAU, at a time and place specified by the SAU Board Chairperson, a public hearing upon the recommended budget. The SAU Board shall adopt a budget, following the public hearing, for the next fiscal year.

4. Special Meetings: The SAU Board may hold special meetings at the call of the Chairperson or at the request of any one of the member school boards.

5. Notification of Meetings and Procedure:
a. Except in emergencies, written notice of each meeting is expected from the Superintendent’s Office well in advance of the appointed time and legally post in accordance with RSA 91-A:2.

b. The public budget hearing shall be held in an appropriate facility centrally located.

c. An agenda shall be prepared by the Superintendent of Schools for each board member prior to the meeting. Items will not be included for action of the SAU Board at a meeting unless submitted to the Superintendent of Schools four days prior to the day of the meeting.

d. The SAU Board may go into executive session by a majority vote of the members, in accordance with RSA 91-A:3. ASD File: BBBH

e. A caucus of reasonable duration may be called by any one of the member school boards. The SAU Board will recess while individual Boards are holding a caucus.

*I. Annual Audit: The SAU Board shall authorize an audit of the SAU accounts every other year.

J. Non-Discriminatory Policy: The SAU Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin in the educational programs or activities which it operates and that are required by Titles VI and IX.

K. Administrative Authority: The Superintendent of Schools is the chief executive officer of the School Districts and, in his/her absence, the Assistant Superintendent will act as deputy chief administrative officer with the same power and responsibilities as vested in the Superintendent.

See also AA School District Legal Status

*To be decided by full SAU Board. Not required by law.

Adopted: November 27, 2001
Revised: August 22, 2023, August 13, 2024