TCAPS Board of Education

The Role of a Board Member

Becoming a board member is a big responsibility that provides an important service to the community and its youth. As a board member, you will be asked to provide input and direction on a wide variety of issues including the district's educational programs, financial priorities and overall policymaking. Another key component of serving on a school board is community relations. School boards help build community understanding of and support for public education. 

The Board of Education is responsible for:

• Envisioning the school district's educational direction and to set goals/strategies that will guide the district toward that vision.
• Hiring a superintendent to implement the board's policies and effectively manage the district to accomplish its goals.
• Monitoring/assessing the district's performance and to engage/inform the community.
• Advocating for students and public schools within the community, state and nation.

With such great responsibilities, it's important for board members to recognize that there will be a lot to learn as they begin their new position, not only about the school district itself, but also about their role on the board. To assist individual board members navigate their new role and to help the school board function effectively as a whole, all board members are encouraged to:

• Participate in TCAPS' school board orientation process under the guidance of experienced board members and the superintendent.
• Attend a workshop for new board members conducted by state and area school board associations (MASB). 
• Review TCAPS' board policies.

Board Member Resources

• TCAPS Board Policy 0140: Board Membership
• TCAPS Board Standards of Practice Agreement
• A School Board Member's Resource Guide: First Year Orientation
  Provided by Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB)
• 2018 Candidate's Guide to School Board Elections
• MASB Checklist for New Board Member Orientation
• Open Meetings Act
• Robert's Rules of Order Cheat Sheet
• Robert's Rules of Order Quick Reference

Board of Education Vacancy 

Appointment of Board Member

January 1, 2017 - June 25, 2018 Timeline

• June 25, 2018 - Jan Geht Resigned Effective Immediately
• June 26, 2018 - Board President Falconer sends letter to Staff and Community
• June 26, 2018 - Press Release Issued Re: Resignation & Notice of Vacancy
• July 5, 2018 - 5:00 PM Deadline for Submission of Letters of Interest and Resumes *
• July 6, 2018 - 5:00 PM Deadline for Submission of Answers to Board Questions
• July 6, 2018 - Packets for all Candidates are emailed to Board HR/Policy Committee
• July 11, 2018 - Board HR/Policy Committee:
  • Reviews All Candidates – narrowing field to finalists
  • Makes recommendation for interview by full board
• July 12, 2018 Packets for Finalists are emailed to Full Board
• July 23, 2018 Board of Education Meeting:
  • Interviews of Finalists
  • Appointment of Board Member

* Upon submission of a letter of interest, candidates will be given questions that require a written response by 5:00 PM on July 6, 2018. Candidates are therefore encouraged to submit their letter of interest as soon as possible.

Download Appointment of Board Member Timeline

Board Vacancy Information

Eligibility

Length of Appointment

• A written Letter of Interest, including:
  • A short statement regarding the qualities and experience the candidate brings to the position,
  • Resume, and
  • Contact information (i.e. street address, phone number & email address).

Important Dates

Download Board Vacancy Information Sheet

TCAPS Board of Education will have four, four-year terms open for the November 6, 2018 election. The four-year terms will run from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2022. Prospective candidates may pick up their candidate information packets at the Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office, 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI (231.922.4760).

Dates to Remember

• Nomination of Board Candidate(s)
  Tuesday, July 24, 2018
  (Affidavit of Identity & Petition or $100 Filing Fee - with County Clerk's Office)
   
• Withdrawal of Board Candidate(s)
  Friday, July 27, 2018 - 4:00 PM
  (In writing with County Clerk's Office)
   
• Absentee Ballots
  Saturday, September 22, 2018
  Must be available to voters no later than this date
   
• Registration Notice Publication
  Once, on or before Tuesday, October 2, 2018
   
• Last Day of Registration to Vote
  Tuesday, October 9, 2018
   
• Write-in Candidates Must File Declaration of Intent
  On or before Friday, October 26 2018 - 4:00 PM
   
• Election Notice Publication
  Once, on or before Tuesday, October 30, 2018
   
• Election Day
  Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Download Regular School Election Dates

​

• Agenda Review Committee
  Members: President, Vice President, 1 rotating board member and Superintendent P. Soma
   
• Communications Committee
  Members:  S. Kelly (Chair), S. Hardy, J. Klegman, (Alternate) K. Clark
   
• Curriculum Committee
  Members:  D. Ellery (Chair), K. Clark, J. Klegman, (Alternate) S. Kelly
   
• Finance/Operations Committee
  Members:  S. Hardy (Chair), K. Clark, M. Anderson, (Alternate) E. Falconer
   
• HR/Policy Committee
  Members:  E. Falconer (Chair), D. Ellery, M. Anderson, (Alternate) S. Kelly
   
• TC – TCAPS Collective Resource Committee
  Members: E. Falconer, S. Hardy
   
• Board of Education Members & Committees

Board Schedules

• Board Meetings Schedule
• Committee Meeting Schedule
• Regular School Election Schedule

Click on the links below to view agendas and minutes from the following board committees:

• Meetings of the Full Board
• Board Communications Committee
• Board Curriculum Committee
• Board Finance/Operations Committee
• Board HR/Policy Committee
• Board Legal Counsel Interview Committee
• TBAISD/TCAPS Joint Board Finance Committee
• TC-TCAPS Collective Resource Committee

For More Information

Board agendas and minutes will be posted on the TCAPS website for the most recent 12 month period. For agendas or minutes dated beyond 12 months or for more information or questions, please contact Recording Secretary to the Board Stacey Hozak at 231.933.1725 or hozakst@tcaps.net.

View Board Policies & Guidelines