Do You Want To Be A Trustee?
Make A Difference
Have you ever thought, "If I were in charge, things would be different"? Well, now’s your chance to turn that thought into action!
Our community will be forming two new school districts—and both will need dedicated individuals to serve on their school boards. School District 245 will be the Grangeville area and District 246 for the Kooskia/Elk City areas. Both boards will be made up of 5 members making a total of 10 board members.
This page is here to help you understand what it means to be a board member. You'll learn what the role of a trustee involves and how the selection process works, so you can be ready to make a real difference in our schools and our future.
As OPEN’s mission is to advocating for common sense, sound financial management and a focus on a classical education in our Idaho County public schools, where children experience an atmosphere of Christian morality, patriotism, stewardship, and real world academic achievement, we are committed to providing the best information possible on this issue.
The History of Public School Board Trustees
Function
““Policies” are the framework within which schools operate, shaping students’ educational experiences.”
Structure
“Idaho Public School Board Trustees serve a 4-year term in office, after which they must be re-elected if they wish to continue on the Board.”
The roots of school boards (ie, Board of Trustees) trace back to the 19th century when the expansion of formal education systems required a response to the growing complexities of educational administration.
In the United States, the concept gained prominence in the mid-1800s, reflecting a commitment to providing an accessible education for every child. These early boards were often community-driven, reflecting the values and priorities of the local populace.
As educational systems evolved, so did the roles and structures of school boards. The 20th century witnessed the refinement of their functions, with an increasing emphasis on standardized curricula, teacher accreditation, equitable resource distribution, and legal compliance with the advent of civil and disabled persons' rights legislation, etc.
School boards are multifaceted in their function, encompassing policy formulation, budgeting, oversight of educational functions, and representation of community interests and values.
Resource allocation is another critical aspect of a Board's role. Boards approve budgets and ensure that financial resources are distributed legally and equitably among schools.
Oversight of educational institutions involves the hiring and evaluation of school administrators, teachers, and other staff, addressing concerns related to teacher and student performance, and monitoring the overall effectiveness of the educational system.
Boards act as a bridge between patrons and districts, representing the interests and values of their constituents and the community.
Idaho Code Chapter 33 governs public school operations.
The administration of public education in Idaho is divided into political entities known as School Districts. Idaho has a total of 117 public school districts. Generally, these districts are divided into 5 “zones”.
Idaho law requires all public school districts to operate under the oversight of a Board of Trustees (ie, a school board). The public (or Patrons) of each Zone elects a Trustee to represent their Zone.
Idaho Public School Board Trustees are volunteers and receive no compensation (travel reimbursement and some expenses are available for specific, official activities).
Concerns of political corruption and favoritism in the schools around the turn of the century led to changes that established the basic administrative structure of school districts today.
Reformers of the time believed that education could be better managed if the power to operate the schools was centralized in a chief executive.
Today, school boards delegate considerable authority to the chief executive and hold that person accountable for the overall performance of the schools. Enter the superintendent.
What Is an Idaho Public School Board Trustee?
Trustees are advocates for the education of children.
Trustees are politicians, charged with the responsibility to govern their district’s affairs and represent their constituents who hold trustees accountable through the democratic process.
Trustees are goal setters for their school systems, establishing, evaluating, and refining how the district will achieve the board’s desired results.
Below is one of the best summarizations we’ve found concerning what a school board trustee is and what he does:
Trustees are planners, selecting quality curriculum and setting priorities in light of community expectations, available resources and graduation requirements
Trustees are financial planners, and adoption of the budget is one of the most important decisions a school board makes. It is a statement to the administration and the public that the board is accountable for the dollars spent, and it reflects the board’s priorities and the blending of the needs and expectations of the community.
Trustees are policy makers, developing policies that guide the administration and staff toward achieving the district’s goals, including compliance with the law.
Trustees are legislators, setting policy.
Trustees are communicators, interacting with the many publics with a stake in education.
Trustees are advocates for quality public education.
Trustees receive and disseminate information.
Trustees are adjudicators, hearing appeals from individuals and groups that feel policies or decisions affect them in a prejudicial manner.
Trustees are lobbyists, communicating with legislators to ensure that the local community’s voice is heard.
Idaho Code 33-512 specifies the powers and duties of Idaho Public School Board Trustees.
FAQs
What is an Idaho Public School Board Trustee?
While no single school board trustee job description exists, trustees are rightly characterized as advocates, representatives, evaluators, legislators, lobbyists, and communicators. School boards are multifaceted in their function, encompassing policy formulation, budgeting, oversight of education functions, and representation of community interests and values.
Please see Idaho Code Title 33 which governs public school operations, including how Trustees are elected and their specific duties.
How many meetings do Trustees have to attend each month?
Trustees must participate in public board meetings at least once monthly. Trustees involved in committee work (i.e., labor negotiations, curriculum adoption, policy review, etc.) will typically have additional meeting obligations.
How much time does a Trustee’s work require each month?
The answer depends on how much work the Trustee involves himself in.
• For monthly Public meetings (including preparation and travel time) – 3 to 5 hours
• For visiting schools – Varies
• For committee and other work - Varies
How much travel is involved in serving as a Trustee?
Trustees travel to and from various meetings and visits to schools throughout the District, as well as to trainings usually within Idaho.
Are Trustees compensated for their work?
No.
However, Trustees may be compensated for travel and expenses related to attending official meetings, training, etc..
What are the record-keeping requirements for Trustees? (e.g., documenting interaction with patrons, etc.)
Individual Trustees have no mandated record-keeping requirements. Trustees are expected to share any information they receive, on which they base an official decision with the other members of the Board. The Clerk of the Board is the official recordkeeper.
How much involvement do Trustees have with the Idaho School Board Association (ISBA)?
The extent to which a Trustee is involved with the ISBA is totally up to the individual Trustee.
Can the local school boards go in their own direction, or do they need to follow ISBA?
There is no legal or other requirement for Idaho’s local school boards to follow what the ISBA recommends or promotes. However, most do.
What legal resources exist for local Idaho school board trustees (especially resources not affiliated with ISBA)?
We are unaware of any legal and/or advisory resources within Idaho besides the ISBA.
How does the selection process work?
Trustees are elected by the people who live in the Zone the Trustee will represent, much the same as a State Representative or City Council members. Trustees must reside in the Zone they represent.
What is the criteria for being a trustee?
In order to be a trustee, you must be at least 18 years old, live in the Zone you represent and not convicted of any felony or other disqualifying crime.
How does deconsolidation affect trustee zones?
Now that the voters in MVSD have voted in favor of deconsolidation, the district will be split into 2 separate districts, each with a new name and number (Clearwater 245 and Grangeville 246). Each new District will have 5 Zones. The law requires the Board of 5 Trustees for each District.
The 2 new Districts will not become legally distinct and separate entities until July 01, 2026. In the meantime the ID State Board of Education will appoint a 10 person Board of Trustees to oversee the transition process as well as to conduct the business of MVSD until it is dissolved on June 30, 2026.
The individual terms of office for current MVSD Board of Trustees will terminate (prematurely), once the State appointed deconsolidation Board is seated. However, these individuals are invited to apply to serve on the transition board.
How do I find out which zone I’m in?
Finding out which zone you are in is easy. Call the elections office and ask them which zone you are in for the new proposed school district by providing your street address. You do not need to tell them why you are calling and it is your right to know which zone you are in.
This information is provided as a public service by OPEN (Overwatch on Public Education Now) to generally inform people interested in being elected as a local school board trustee.