Information

      • The Southwestern CSD Board of Education currently has an empty seat to fill. If you feel you'd be a great candidate for this position, please send your resume and letter of interest to the District Clerk:

        psagurney@swcsk12.org  

        OR

        Southwestern CSD
        Attn: Pam SaGurney
        600 Hunt Road
        Jamestown, NY 14701

        Board interviews will be held at an upcoming board meeting. (Date to be determined.) The District Clerk will contact you to make arrangements before the meeting. Thank you for your interest!

      Running for School Board

      • What all Prospective School Board Members Should Know

        Commitment to Public Education
        A school board member takes on one of the most important citizen responsibilities: overseeing the education of the community’s youth. In these challenging times for public education, school boards are seeking men and women who find excitement and satisfaction in confronting tough challenges and working collegially to rise above them and help students in their communities succeed.

        The board of education is a uniquely American institution. It oversees and manages the community’s public school system. It ensures the public schools are flexible and responsive to the needs of the community.  School boards are comprised of volunteers within the community who dedicate their time to better public education. 

        Southwestern school board members serve three-year terms. Terms are staggered so all board positions are never open at the same time. 

        Characteristics of a Board Member
        Below are attributes that all effective board members should possess.

        • Effective Communicator: Can describe what he or she wants and describe what others want; a good listener
        • Consensus Builder: Capable of working toward decisions that all can support and willing to compromise to achieve goals
        • Community Participant: Enjoys meeting a variety of people, can identify the community’s key communicators and reaches out to the community
        • Decision Maker: Is comfortable making decisions and can support group decision-making
        • Information Processor: Can organize priorities and schedules to handle large amounts of verbal and written information
        • Leader: Willing to take risks, be supportive of board colleagues, district staff and community
        • Team Player: Helps promote the board’s vision and goals

        Eligibility Requirements
        School board candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, qualified voters in the school district and able to read and write. They must be residents of their districts continuously for 30 days before the election or appointment. They cannot be employed by the board on which they serve or live in the same household with a family member who is also a member of the same school board.

        Training
        Once appointed, you will be required by New York State law to fulfill mandatory training within your first year of service. This includes fiscal oversight training and governance skills training. The New York State School Board Association provides convenient online courses and regional academies to fulfill these requirements and to further your knowledge of public education and your responsibilities as a board member.

        (Information excerpted from www.nyssba.org)