FAQ's
What does the Board of Education do?
The seven-member Board of Education is Dawson ISD's policy-making body.
Primary functions
- Set the direction for the district, primarily focusing on the education and well-being of students.
- Translate the needs of students into policies, plans and goals that will be supported by the community.
- Represent the public interest.
Responsibilities
- Hire and evaluate the superintendent
- Approve the district's budget
- Establish goals and evaluate outcomes
- Adopt and evaluate policies
- Levy and collect taxes, and issue bonds
- Order elections, canvass returns, declare results, and issue certificates of election as required by law
- Adhere to guidelines and policies mandated by the Texas Education Agency and the U.S. Department of Education
- Communicate with the community, including the public recognition of significant student and teacher accomplishments
When and where does the Board of Education meet?
Regular meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Dawson ISD Administration Building, located within Dawson Jr/Sr High School, at 199 N School Ave. in Dawson, Texas 76639. Special called meetings will be announced no later than 72 hours prior to the meeting. A copy of the agendas will be posted on the district's website and also at the entrance of the Dawson Jr/Sr High School.
Who serves on the Board?
Any registered voter who has lived in Texas for one year and in the school district for six months may file for election to the School Board. You must also have a clean criminal background. Trustees are volunteers and receive no compensation for their service.
Elections
Members of the Board of Trustees are elected for three-year terms. Annual elections are held the first Saturday in May and are staggered, i.e., two places one year, three the following and two the next year. You may find the terms of our current board members here. Board officers are elected the first meeting following the election. You may vote at any Navarro County polling location.
Training
The Texas Education Agency, as mandated by House Bill 72 passed in 1984, requires School Board members to participate in annual, state-accredited training. In addition to orientation on the basic responsibilities of School Boards, the training includes details on school finance, curriculum and legislation.
Who can attend Board Meetings?
State law does not allow the audience to enter into discussion regarding matters under consideration during the Board meeting.
How is the agenda developed?
The agenda is finalized no later than 72 hours before each meeting.
Agenda items
The agenda is designed to include citizens' comments, student and staff recognition, action items and report items.
Posting of the agenda
Agendas are posted 72 hours before meetings at the entrance of the Dawson ISD Administration Building, located within Dawson Jr/Sr High School, at 199 N. School Ave. Dawson, Texas 76639. They are also posted on our district website under the Board of Education page.
Closed session
A closed executive session notice is placed on the agenda to address the following legally appropriate items:
- Consultation with the Board's attorney on legal issues
- Real property purchases or economic development decisions
- Prospective gifts or donations to the district
- Personnel matters, including employee complaints
- Student discipline
- Security issues
- No voting or polling of votes is allowed in executive session.
How do I address the Board?
The trustees represent you in determining what is best for the children attending Dawson ISD schools, and you should feel comfortable expressing your opinions to them. Your input into the direction of Dawson ISD is encouraged and will always be considered by the Board.
Guidelines:
- Speakers should identify themselves and their affiliation, make their presentations, and identify the desired remedies.
- Each speaker is allocated five minutes.
- Delegations of more than two people are required to appoint one person to present their views before the Board.
- Speakers should direct their remarks to the entire Board and not to individual Trustees.
Topics not allowed by state law:
- Deliberation, discussion or any decisions related to items not on that meeting's agenda.
- Complaints about individual district employees.
Interested speakers may request a slot to speak during the open forum portion of the meeting by registering with Kelly Miller, Business Manager, before the Board meeting begins. You may contact her at 254-578-1031 x210.
How can I run for the Board of Education? What is the process?
When an election is called, you must turn in a “Application for a Place on the Dawson ISD General Election” completed to District Administration Offices, located inside Dawson High School. Additionally, this must be notarized. You may pick up a copy of the packet from the same location during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM at 199 North School Ave. Dawson, TX 76639. For more information regarding elections, please reach out to Kelly Miller, Business Manager, at 254-578-1031 x210 or by email at [email protected]
Understanding Your School Board PDF