Where is District 4?
District 4 includes 11 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 high schools and 3 theme and specialty schools. It primarily serves the northeastern section of DeKalb County.
What does a School Board Member do?
School board member responsibilities are outlined in Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-49.
The General Assembly finds that local boards of education play a critical role in setting the policies that lead to the operation and success of local school systems. School board members hold special roles as trustees of public funds, including local, state, and federal funds, while they focus on the singular objective of ensuring each student in the local school system receives a quality basic education. Board duties require specialized skills and training in the performance of vision setting, policy making, approving multimillion dollar budgets, financial management, and hiring a qualified superintendent. The motivation to serve as a member of a local board of education should be the improvement of schools and academic achievement of all students. Service on a local board of education is important citizen service. Given the specialized nature and unique role of membership on a local board of education, this elected office should be characterized and treated differently from other elected offices where the primary duty is independently to represent constituent views. Local board of education members should abide by a code of conduct and conflict of interest policy modeled for their unique roles and responsibilities. And although there are many measures of the success of a local board of education, one is clearly essential: maintaining accreditation and the opportunities it allows the school system’s students.
Georgia School Board Association also has a good overview of the role of the Board of Education and its individual schools.
While school board members do not manage school systems or intervene on the behalf of their constituents, they have a rich advocacy role in their communities. Schools that feel well supported are more likely to maintain high quality and retain students, teachers and staff, which serves all of the district.