School Board Member Certification

It shall be the Board Policy of the Kiamichi Technology Center School District No. 7 that:

1. The Kiamichi Technology Center Executive Assistant has been designated as the Board President Designee; and the Designee shall:
   1. Provide a copy of the requirements for: New school board member certifications and continuing education requirements for all board members.
   2. Notify and update the Oklahoma State School Board Association (OSSBA Portal) and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (School Board Membership Report) when any newly elected, reelected or appointed school board member takes office, submitting name, full mailing address of member, member’s office number as well as beginning and ending date of the term of office.
   3. Notify the Oklahoma State School Board Association and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education when a board member is deceased, resigns, retires or is removed from office.
   4. Provide board members a copy of the completed School Board Member Training Requirements Report as compiled from credits listed by the Oklahoma State School Board Association.
       
2. Keep the board members informed of available approved board member training workshops and professional development programs when and as scheduled.
    
3. School board members shall be reimbursed by the School District for expenses incurred in accordance with the State Laws pertaining to same and as outlined in the Kiamichi Technology Centers Travel Policy Manual. 

Instructions for New Board Members

Except as provided below, at the time a school district elector files a notification and declaration of candidacy for the office of board of education membership, the elector shall agree and pledge in writing that within fifteen (15) months of election, they will complete at least twelve (12) hours of instruction on education issues, including school finance, Oklahoma education laws, ethics, duties and responsibilities of district board of education members.  Three (3) of these twelve (12) credits must be earned as follows:  one (1) credit in ethics; one (1) credit in open meeting act and open records act; and one (1) credit in school finance. 

Instructions for Incumbent Board Members

When an incumbent board member files a notification and declaration of candidacy for reelection to the board of education, the incumbent shall not be required to comply with the statutory requirement described above if the incumbent produces a certificate of completion showing that he or she has completed the requirements described above.  However, the incumbent must pledge in writing that they will complete six (6) hours of instruction within fifteen (15) months of election emphasizing changes in school law.  Three (3) of these six (6) credits must be earned as follows:  One (1) credit in ethics; one (1) credit in open meeting act and open records act; and one (1) credit in school finance. 

General Information

Upon completion of the instructional requirements, the member's certificate of completion shall be included in the public records of the school board's minutes.

Any member of the board or any individual elected, certified as the elected member by the county election board, but not sworn in and seated as a member of the board of education at the time of a workshop, who attends and successfully completes a workshop as required above, shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred, not to exceed compensation in the sum of $25 per day and other expenses as outlined in the Kiamichi Technology Centers Travel Policy Manual. 

Continuing Educational Requirements

In addition to the workshop requirements described above, every member of the board shall be required to attend a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education during any full term of office of the member.  The continuing education courses, local and state workshops, seminars, conferences and conventions that will satisfy these requirements will be held within the state and will be approved jointly by the State Department of Education and the State Department of Career and Technology Education.  Failure by a board member to satisfy the continuing education requirements of this section shall result in the ineligibility of the member to run for reelection to the board of education.  Any member of the board who attends and completes a course that satisfies in part or in full the requirements of this policy shall be reimbursed no more than $25 per day and any other expenses incurred according to the Kiamichi Technology Centers Travel Policy Manual.   

Failure to Meet the Educational Requirements

Upon receiving any notice by the State Board of Education that a board member has not completed their instructional or continuing educational requirements, both the board member and the superintendent shall alert the board to such default.  

Upon receiving a final certified notice by the State Board of Education, the board member shall have sixty (60) days in accordance with Oklahoma law to complete the requirements. Should a board member not complete the required instructional or continuing educational requirements within that time period, the board shall declare the board member’s seat vacant in accordance with Oklahoma law. The board seat must be declared vacant within sixty (60) days of the last date the board member had to complete the instructional or continuing education requirements according to the final certified notice by the State Board of Education.  

Any board member who does not obtain the required education will be ineligible, pursuant to Oklahoma law, to serve on the board of education for a period of 2 years. 

School Board Member Training Requirements

New School Board Member

Each new school board member shall complete the following requirements within 15 months of election:

1. One credit in ethics;
2. One credit in Oklahoma Open Meeting/Open Records Act;
3. One credit in school finance;
4. Nine additional credits of your choice-excluding continuing education (CE) designated credits.  

Incumbent (Reelected) Member

Requirement - complete 6 hours reflecting updates in categories listed below within 15 months of re-election.

1. One credit in ethics;
2. One credit in Oklahoma Open Meeting/Open Records Act;
3. One credit in school finance;
4. Three additional credits of your choice-excluding continuing education (CE) designated credits. 

Continuing Education

Requirement - All School Board members must also earn the equivalent of 3 hours per year of service in any category listed above, including continuing education, prior to filing for re-election or completion of service.

1. 9 credits during a full 3-year term, 
2. 12 credits during a full 4-year term, or 
3. 15 credits during a full 5-year or 7-year term.  

What Counts

1. Workshops, seminars, conferences and/or conventions conducted by the
   1. State Department of Education.
   2. State Department of Career and Technology Education.
2. Local professional development programs of the board member's district.
3. All other programs must have prior approval by the State Department of Education and the State Department of Career and Technology Education. 

Reference:  70 OKLA. STAT. §5-110, 70 OKLA. STAT. §5-110.1, 70 OKLA. STAT. §5-110.2 

Adopted July 1, 2022