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

Policy Date: 08/22/2023

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.

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.
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 Director of Curriculum, Instruction and
Assessment 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