Local control of public education is one of the cornerstones of a free society. The Trustees of the Meridian Joint School District are your elected representatives. They establish the policies that govern the school district and appoint the District Superintendent. Individual members have no authority to act on their own. Instead, Board action is made during formal sessions.

The Board is composed of five citizens, each representing a different geographic region of the district. They serve without pay in overlapping terms of three years.

Regular Meetings

Regular meetings are held twice during the months of August, September, October, January, February, and April on the second and fourth Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Mountain view High School. Meetings in July, November, December, March, May and June are held the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Special meetings are also called when necessary. All meetings are open to the public.

State law permits the Board to go into executive session to discuss personnel, negotiations, property, or legal matters. No vote on any item may be taken in executive session.

Board agendas are posted at the District Office at least 48 hours before a regular meeting and 24 hours before a special meeting. Local news media are notified of every meeting.

Addressing the Board

Meetings of the Board of Trustees follow a standard, published agenda. The Chairman of the Board presides at all meetings. Patrons who wish to comment on agenda items may do so by signing the Public Comment Sheet located at the entrance to the meeting room.

Each board meeting follows the same format: approval of the minutes, review and approval of the consent agenda, discussion and action on special reports, old business, new business, and the Superintendent's report.

When appearing before the Board, please state your name, address, and the time on the agenda you wish to discuss. Public comment on items before the Board is encouraged. The Board's function is decision-making and the sentiments of the patrons assist in making those decisions.

Privacy Law and Employees' Rights

The rights of employees, students and others are protected by various laws and policies. At a public meeting of the Board of Trustees, no person shall orally initiate charges or complaints against students or individual employees of the district.

All complaints, concerns, or challenges regarding a specific school or individual should be registered first at the building level with the appropriate teacher or principal. Experience has shown that this is the best procedure. The Board is the final level of appeal. All concerns, if presented to the Board directly, will be referred back to the building principal or Superintendent for investigation.