A Reference Guide of the Bakersfield City School District

BOARDof EducationYou are invited to attend Board of Education meetings and take an active role in the educational affairs of theschool district. We appreciate your interest and participation. Your viewpoint is important in keeping ourpublic schools responsive to the needs of the community. We encourage you to visit any one of the BakersfieldCity School District schools.MEMBERSRick Van Horne, Bill McDougle, Lillian Tafoya, Andrae Gonzales, and Pam BaugherYOUR BOARD AND HOW IT FUNCTIONSFive citizens are elected to serve overlapping terms of four years each. They are elected at-large by theregistered voters of the district. The Board functions as the legislative body of the school district andestablishes policies by which the school district is operated. Programs and policies are governed according tolaws and regulations as set by the United States and California Constitutions, federal law and State law andCalifornia Administrative Code, Title 5.BOARD MEETINGSRegular meetings are held every fourth Tuesday of each calendar month at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at theEducation Center, 1300 Baker Street. Notices of all meetings, both regular and special, are posted at theEducation Center and emailed to all media in advance of the meetings. All meetings are open to the publicwith the exception of “Closed Sessions,” which may be held to discuss confidential personnel matters, matterspertaining to an individual student, labor negotiations and matters of legal litigation. Special meetings are opento the public; however, only business for which the meeting was called can be discussed.MISStatementRequests for an item to be placed on the agenda must be submitted in writing and delivered to the Office of theSuperintendent no later than noon on the sixth business day prior to a regular meeting. Items must be directlyrelated to school business. The Board reserves the right to place an item on a future agenda for action.SIONIn order to maximize the successful education of all Bakersfield City School District students and helpthem become productive citizens and lifelong learners in a diverse society, all individuals including students,parents, staff and community members: shall be treated with dignity, respect and fairness;shall encourage and maintain high expectations;HUMAN RELATIONS MISSION STATEMENTshall model an appreciation for socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, gender and religious diversity; andshall contribute to an environment of mutual respect, caring and cooperation.Students, parents, staff and community members shall join together to share a sense of belonging and takepride in our schools, facilities and programs through participation and cooperation in support of the educationof all students.4