Operating Protocol

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We, the members of the Board of Trustees of the Plano Independent School District are committed to serving the children and citizens of this school district. We will strive to provide a high quality public education which meets the needs of our community. To achieve that goal, we have established an operating protocol which will help govern our actions at meetings and in our role as trustees. We hope that it will help enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Board meetings while maintaining mutual respect and opportunities for polite disagreement. 

We believe that the success of the Plano Independent School District depends on a shared vision among the School Board, PISD staff, parents and community, and we will try to the best of our ability to uphold these aspirations.

Board Member Norms

Responsibility

• We acknowledge the Board's role as planning, policy making, and communication and the superintendent's role of leading, implementing and managing.
• We will act as advocates for the children and families of our district.
• We will keep ourselves focused on the best interests of students.
• We will act as advocates for quality public education.
• We will function only as a "body corporate" which means that we take action only as a group at regular or called Board meetings. Board members may not act privately on behalf of the Board.
• We will make every attempt to attend all Board functions.

Cooperation

• We will work cooperatively with other Board members, the
•  superintendent and staff, striving for teamwork.
• We will be respectful of each other and our right to differing opinions.
• We will avoid interrupting fellow Board members.
• We will limit our comments on a specific item to three minutes at a time to demonstrate respect for all Board members' and participants' time.
• We will focus on the issue on the table.
• We will maintain a sense of humor.
• We will practice the art of consensus to the extent possible.
• We will accept responsibility for all Board decisions, regardless of how we voted.
• We understand that confidentiality is expected regarding those issues discussed in executive session.

  Preparation

• We will read all agenda material and come prepared for each meeting.
• We will notify staff members of questions prior to the meeting and be specific about information needed.

  Community Interaction

• We will be courteous to all participants and request the same courtesy in return.
• We will respect the civil and human rights of all members of the school community.
• We will try to ensure that our body language conveys a professional message.

  Objectivity

• We will listen objectively.
• We will base our decisions on the available facts and our independent judgment, not yielding to individuals or special interest groups.
• We will make decisions in the best interests of the students' education even when the decision may be unpopular for political or other reasons.
• We will be open to new concepts.