- Southwestern Central School District
- Budget Vote
2024 Budget Vote & Election
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The Annual Meeting & Election of the Southwestern Central School District will be held via in-person voting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, between the hours of 7:00-9:00 a.m. and 2:00-8:00 p.m. in the Southwestern High School Multipurpose Room.Board Vacancies: Election of Board of Education members will be held to fill three at-large vacancies created by the expiration on June 30, 2024, of the terms of Edward Brooks and Elizabeth Laczi, and by the expiration on May 21, 2024 of the term of Michael Carothers. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes shall begin serving their three-year term commencing May 22, 2024 and ending June 30, 2027. Petition packets for running for the board will be available mid-March, and are due to the district clerk by April 22, 2024.Public Hearing: A public hearing on the proposed 2024-2025 budget and an opportunity to meet the candidates running for election will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the HS auditorium. Residents will receive a Spotlight newsletter in the mail the week of May 6, 2024.Military Ballots: Completed applications for military ballots must be received by the district clerk by April 25, 2024. Military ballots will be mailed April 26, 2024, to residents who returned completed applications.Absentee Ballots: Absentee ballots will be mailed on or about April 26, 2024, to all permanently disabled residents who are currently on the Board of Elections' list. If you wish to vote by absentee ballot and are not on the Board of Elections' permanently disabled list, please contact the district clerk to make arrangements to receive an application. Applications must be received at the office of the district clerk by May 14th if the absentee ballot is to be mailed to the applicant, or by May 20th if the applicant plans to pick the absentee ballot up in person at the district office. All absentee ballots must be received by the district clerk in the district office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the vote. Any ballots received after that time will not be counted.Early Vote Ballots: If you wish to vote early, please contact the district clerk to make arrangements to receive an application. Applications must be received at the office of the district clerk by May 14th if the early vote ballot is to be mailed to the applicant, or by May 20th if the applicant plans to pick the early vote ballot up in person at the district office. All early vote ballots must be received by the district clerk in the district office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the vote. Any ballots received after that time will not be counted.To be considered a qualified voter of the district, you must be:
- a citizen of the United States of America
- eighteen years of age or older
- a resident within the district for a period of thirty days preceding the annual meeting and election, and
- not otherwise disqualified from voting in school district elections
District ClerkPam SaGurney(716) 484-1137
Running for School Board
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Would I be a good school board member?
Yes, if:
- You value public education.
- You are deeply concerned about all students in your school district; each student is guaranteed a “sound basic education” under the state Constitution.
- You are both an effective speaker and a good listener.
- You can work effectively with fellow school board members in a group decision-making process.
- You are a lifelong learner; you want to understand more about what makes schools effective, learn about changes that affect schools and grow in your role as a school board member.
- You value the opinions of members of school community and are prepared to engage with them throughout your tenure as a school board member (this includes visits to the grocery store!).
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What does a school board do?
In New York State, school boards:
- Hire and evaluate the superintendent of schools.
- Propose an annual budget to voters.
- Create policies that guide all aspects of district functioning. Policies can serve to comply with legal requirements (e.g., describing how allegations of bullying or sexual harassment will be handled), provide notice of rights/responsibilities (e.g., Parent Bill of Rights Regarding Student Data Privacy and Security), articulate values (e.g., mission statement), and set rules unique to the district on issues that are locally decided (e.g., Will non-resident students be admitted to this district? What will be the tuition?).
- Set goals (including goals involving student achievement) and evaluate progress.
- Make key decisions including: acting on personnel actions recommended by the superintendent; adopting the school calen- dar; approving curricula and textbooks; approving purchases; and deciding whether a school should be closed (or built, with financial approval by the voters).
- Hold public forums on the budget, provide required budget notices and otherwise engage and communicate with the public.
- Set the district’s priorities and positions in collective bargaining.
- Form contractual agreements. These include purchases, articulation agreements with colleges and labor contracts.
- Make decisions involving legal actions, including responding to claims related to student or teacher discipline, tenure, special education, bullying, harassment and discrimination, among other topics.
- Seek to influence state and federal education policy by passing resolutions, working with advocacy groups such as NYSSBA and interacting with state legislators and other elected officials.
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How much time is required?
Half of school board members in New York State spend five hours or less per week on school board business, excluding meetings. About 38 percent spend six to 10 hours, and 12 percent spend more than 10 hours. Boards typically meet one or two evenings a month, and board members typically have written materials to review before each meeting. Board members are also expected to participate in committee meetings, work sessions and annual or semi-annual retreats. Furthermore, New York State law requires you to complete six hours of financial training during your first year in office. NYSSBA strongly encourages school board members to attend other trainings, especially ones that cover the state Open Meetings Law, conflicts of interest, executive sessions (private, confidential meetings of the board) and the state Freedom of Information Law (which makes school board member’s emails and other materials open to the public).
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Any tips about campaigning?
Yes: don’t make any promises you can’t keep.
An individual board member has zero authority. It’s only when a majority of the board takes action through a vote that the board’s authority is exercised. So, while it’s appropriate to state your position on issues when campaigning, avoid promising that you will ensure that the district will take specific actions if elected.
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I have a relative who works in the district. Can I be a school board member?
Yes; about 47 percent of school board members have relatives who work in their school district or a different school district. However, before voting on any teaching appointment that involves a relative by blood or marriage, board members should disclose the relationship. In such cases, the board member may vote but a two-thirds supermajority is required for the appointment to be effective.
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As a board member, can I be held personally liable for legal claims against the board or the school district?
Generally, this should not be a concern. School board members cannot be held liable for actions taken in good faith and within the scope of their authority. A governing board member is not immune from liability, however, if he or she:
- Acts outside the scope of his or her authority.
- Knows (or should have known) that an action violates a person’s constitutional rights.
- Engages in criminal activity.
- Has a conflict of interest in violation of state law.
- Commits an intentional tort, such as assault.
- Violates the state open meeting law.
School districts typically have insurance policies that provide for defense and indemnification, providing a shield from personal liability. Boards also have legal counsel and should consult with them as appropriate.
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Is there a Code of Ethics for school boards and school board members?
Yes. State law requires districts to adopt a code of ethics for district officers (i.e., school board members) and employees. Southwestern's Code of Ethics policy can be found at http://go.boarddocs.com/ny/swcsk12/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BFQH4Z46BDA7.
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Prospective School Board Member Workshop
Prospective School Board Member Workshop
‘Anyone ever tell you you’d make a great School Board Member?’
Workshop provided by Erie County Association of School Boards as a public service.*
When? Date: Saturday, March 23 2024
Program: 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Where? Erie 1 BOCES Education Campus
355 Harlem Road, West Seneca - Building B (Conference Room B-1)
What ?: Learn the legal issues of school board leadership. Find out about the election process. Understand the relationship between the Board of Education and the Superintendent. Listen to current school board members who will share what it is really like to go through the campaign process and
serve as a school board member.
Gather valuable information and get answers to your questions.
A light continental breakfast will be provided. To register for this FREE workshop, please call Erie County Association of School Boards at (716) 821-7297 or Email: ssummers@e1b.org
FAQs
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Can I vote by absentee ballot?
- Yes. Please contact the district clerk to make arrangements to receive an application.
Can I vote early?
- Yes. Please contact the district clerk to make arrangements to receive an application.
If I am not a registered voter, can I still vote?
- Yes, please bring a photo ID (some examples are a driver's license, learner permit, passport, military ID, etc.) to the voting location.
I am a member of the military (or family member) and would like to vote by absentee ballot. What is the process?
- Military ballot applications are due by April 25, 2024.
How do I become a registered voter?
- Please visit the Chautauqua County Board of Elections website https://chqgov.com/board-of-elections/Voter-Registration-Form. Complete the form and return it directly to their office.
What are the qualifications for voting?
- Citizen of the United States; and
- At least 18 years old; and
- A resident of the school district for at least 30 days prior to the meeting at which the person would like to vote; and
- Who is not otherwise prohibited from voting under the provisions of section 5-106 of the Election Law.