Board of Trustees

A school board is an elected, local governing body that can only take action at a legally called meeting of the Board and by a majority vote. The individual board member has the responsibility of studying matters impacting the district and being prepared to take action on items brought before the Board at a posted public meeting.

The responsibilities of a school board include the following:

I am a citizen elected to represent the people of the entire school district, not just a specific group of people, or those living in a certain subdivision or area. I realize that my authority as a member of the Board of Trustees only exists during a legally announced meeting and that at all other times I am a private citizen.

I do not need to know all of the facets of the educational process or of general school administration. I am not expected to do this work, but I am responsible for seeing that the work is done. My work as a member of the Board of Trustees consists of assisting in choosing a competent superintendent to guide the district, deciding within the provisions of the applicable laws what is to be done, setting educational priorities, and appraising the work to see that it is done competently and economically. The administration of the educational program and the conduct of school business shall be left to the superintendent of schools and his staff.

As a member of the Board of Trustees, I deal directly with the superintendent or through the Board president and do not attempt to handle school business matters with other district employees. I listen impartially to all persons who come to me with questions, problems, and/or comments on the capabilities or personalities of school employees, and direct them to the appropriate employees of the school district and apprise them of the administrative procedure for all grievances.

I must make my own decisions. I will not join any faction or group on the Board of Trustees. Each time I cast my vote it will be because of my feelings on the individual issue, not because of anyone else's position or voting alignment. I abide by majority decisions of the Board and I publicly support these decisions even though I may have voted with the minority. I do not seek special privileges for myself, my relatives or my friends. I desire that the people of the community shall have an education that is as complete and adequate as it is possible to provide. I must never neglect my personal obligation to the community and my legal obligation to the State, nor surrender these responsibilities to any other person, group, or organization. With dignity and honor, I want to serve the school district; with humility and to the best of my ability, I shall discharge my great public trust.

• Regular monthly meetings (twelve annually) usually held the second Monday of each month but on occasion, the Board of Trustees will take action to change a scheduled meeting date
• Audit committee meetings (three annually)...there are three trustees who serve on the audit committee; however, all trustees are permitted to attend
• Safety committee meetings (three annually)...there are two trustees who serve on the safety committee; however, all trustees are permitted to attend
• Annual Team Building...this is a required three hour session with all trustees and the superintendent, usually held at the beginning of a calendar year.
• Workshops and special meetings (approximately eight) are conducted throughout the year on topics including, but not limited to, budget, measures and indicators of success, legislative updates
• Klein Education Foundation...two trustees serve as foundation directors and attend monthly meetings and additional engagements
• School Health Advisory Council...one trustee serves on this committee and meets four times a year

Trustees are required to earn continuing education credit each year. A new trustee has certain training requirements during the first 90 or 120 days of taking office. There are two conventions that the Board typically attends to assist in earning some of their credits (Texas Association of School Boards conference in the Fall and the National School Board Association conference in the Spring). Other training opportunities are through the Region 4 Education Service Center, for example.

• New Trustee Orientation
• Open Meetings Training
• Texas Education Code/Update
• Team Building
• Cybersecurity
• Evaluating & Improving Student Outcomes
• Child Abuse Prevention
• Ten additional hours for new trustee (five additional hours annually for experienced trustees)

• Klein Leadership Coalition (monthly)
• FFA Project Show & Auction
• German Fest
• Klein Education Foundation Academic Banquet
• Klein Education Foundation Golf Tournament and Grant Celebrations
• Annual Employee Convocation/Kickoff
• New School Dedications
• GT Summit
• Innovation Challenges
• Partners in Education Celebration
• Alumni Nation
• Pathway Summit
• Annual Staff Recognition Banquet
• Fine Arts: Musicals, Concerts, Plays
• Top Ten Honor Graduate Ceremonies
• Sporting Events: Football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, track and field, etc.
• Occasional special school events
• Graduation Ceremonies
• Vistas Clapouts (4 events annually for graduates from Vistas High School Program)
• Veterans Day Breakfast & Celebration