Agenda Item
3. First Read: Board Policy BBI: Board Staff Relations
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Melanie V. Slaton, General Counsel, Hall Booth Smith, PC, Attorneys at Law
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education amend Board Policy BBI: Board Staff Relations.
Why: The Board Policy Review Committee met and conferred regarding Board Policy BBI: Board Staff Relations and determined the current language requires updates and recommends the proposed revisions.
Details: The purpose of the Board Policy Review Committee is to ensure the ongoing review, development, and refinement of Board policies governing the District. The Board Policy Review Committee has the goal of promoting transparency, accountability, and compliance with state, local, and federal laws while fostering a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment for all within the District. The Policy Review Committee determined the current language requires updates and recommends the proposed revisions.
Financial impact: No Financial Impact to the District
Contact: Ms. Melanie Slaton, General Counsel, Hall Booth Smith, PC. Attorneys at Law, 404.954.5000
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Attorney Approval Not Required
Board Policy Manual
DeKalb County School District
Board Policy BBI: Original Adopted Date: 03/21/2012
Board-Staff Rela ons Last Reviewed Date: 01/28/2025
Status: DRAFT Last Revised Date: Pending
Clean Version
The purpose of this policy is to establish clear guidelines governing rela ons and communica ons
between staff members and the Board of Educa on. Staff members include district employees,
contractors, and vendors. Effec ve communica on between staff and the Board is essen al to
maintaining a produc ve and professional educa onal environment while ensuring compliance with the
chain of command. For most ma ers, the primary line of communica on between staff and the Board
will be through the Superintendent.
A. Staff Communica ons to the Board
Unless otherwise specified, staff communica ons to the Board must be coordinated through the
Superintendent. This ensures the chain of command is followed and that the Superintendent is informed
of ma ers requiring the Board's a en on. Official district business will not be conducted between staff
and Board members except as directed by the Superintendent or as outlined below.
District staff have the right to appeal administra ve decisions to the Board of Educa on. Instruc ons for
filing a complaint or grievance are outlined in policies GAE(2): Complaints and Grievances, Cer fied
Employees, and GAE(3): Complaints and Grievances, Non-Cer fied Employees.
District staff are encouraged to report suspected fraud, waste, the , abuse, noncompliance, or unethical
behavior to the Board of Educa on. The whistleblower process is outlined in policy GAGC: Employee
Ethics and its associated regula on.
As members of the public, district staff are also eligible to par cipate in Community Input Sessions of the
Board. Instruc ons for speaking at a board mee ng are outlined in policy BCBI: Public Par cipa on in
Board Mee ngs.
B. Board Communica ons to Staff
Unless otherwise specified, Board members must direct ques ons, concerns, or requests for informa on
to the Superintendent rather than communica ng directly with staff members. Board members are
prohibited from giving direc ons or tasks directly to staff members without the Superintendent’s prior
approval. This ensures that all requests are addressed through proper channels and do not interfere
with daily opera ons.
As a prac cal ma er, board members are expected to have direct interac on and communica on with
staff working in the Board Office. However, these staff members are supervised by and report to the
Superintendent, not the Board or the Board Chair.
In emergency situa ons, Board members may communicate directly with staff as necessary to ensure
the safety and wellbeing of students, staff, or property. The Superintendent must be no fied of such
communica on as soon as possible.
C. Guidelines for Board Member Visits to Schools
The Superintendent is responsible for monitoring daily school opera ons. However, Board members
may benefit from knowledge and understanding gained during a school visit.
Without prior no ce, Board members may visit schools during open houses and other mes specially
arranged for the general public. If a Board member desires to visit a school outside of these mes, these
visits must be coordinated through the Superintendent.
Board members must recognize that their presence at a school could be subject to a variety of
interpreta ons by school employees and the public. Therefore, the following guidelines have been
developed to govern school visits:
1. The Board member will not interrupt classes or other ac vi es.
2. The Board member will not visit or observe classes without the principal's approval.
3. The Board member will not evaluate teachers or other district staff.
4. The Board member will not make commitments on behalf of the Board or the District.
D. Enforcement
This policy will be enforced in accordance with policy BH: Board Code of Ethics.
References