TCAPS Board of Education

Interested in Becoming A Board Member?

View the Regular School Board Election Schedule

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.

Board Member Training

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 required 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 Policies 0000 for Board Bylaws
• 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

TCAPS Board of Education will have three, four-year terms open for the November 3, 2020 election. The four-year terms will run from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2024. 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 21, 2020 – 4:00 PM
  Affidavit of Identity & Petition or $100 Filing Fee with County Clerk’s Office
   
• Withdrawal of Board Candidate(s)
  Friday, July 24, 2020 – 4:00 PM
  In writing with County Clerk’s Office
   
• Absentee Ballots
  Saturday, September 19, 2020
  Must be available to voters no later than this date
   
• Registration Notice Publication
  Once, on or before Monday, October 5, 2020
   
• Last Day of Registration to Vote
  Monday, October 19, 2020
  Other than in person with the local clerk
   
• Write-in Candidates Must File Declaration of Intent
  On or before Friday, October 23, 2020 - 4:00 PM
• Election Notice Publication
  Once, on or before Tuesday, October 27, 2020
   
• Election Day
  Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Download Regular School Election Dates

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• Agenda Review Committee
  Members: President, Vice President, 1 rotating board member and Superintendent
   
• Communications Committee
  Members:  J. Klegman (Chair), M. Anderson, E. Moon Mohr, (Alternate: J. Leonhardt)
   
• Curriculum Committee
  Members:  P. Forton (Chair), B. McGuire, E. Moon Mohr, (Alternate: J. Klegman)
   
• Finance/Operations Committee
  Members:  M. Anderson (Chair), P. Forton, J. Leonhardt, (Alternate: S. Kelly)
   
• HR/Policy Committee
  Members:  J. Leonhardt (Chair), J. Klegman, B. McGuire, (Alternate: S. Kelly)
   
• TC – TCAPS Collective Resource Committee
  Members: TBD
   
• Round Table
  Member: Rotating Board Member
   
• Reinstatement Committee
  Members: S. Kelly, P. Forton (Alternate: J. Leonhardt)
   
• Nutrition and Wellness Committee
  Member: J. Klegman
   
• District Network
  Members: S. Kelly (Alternate: J. Leonhardt)
   
• Board of Education Members & Committees

Board Schedules

• Board Meetings Schedule
• Committee Meeting 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
• Board Montessori Visioning Task Force
• Board Search Firm Interview Task Force
• Board Superintendent Task Force
• 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.

Watch Board Meetings Live & On Demand

View Board Policies & Guidelines

View the TCAPS Board vision, strategic plan and key focus areas.

View TCAPS capital plan information.

View public hearing notices.

View information regarding making public records requests.

April is Social Host Responsibility Month

At its March 9, 2020, Board of Education meeting, board members signed a proclamation stating April 2020 is Social Host Responsibility Month and calls upon all parents, citizens, homeowners and property owners to host gatherings responsibly and to take measures to eliminate access to alcohol to persons under the age of 21. Read the full proclamation.