2123-Board Member Opportunities for Development Board members of Avery County Schools are encouraged to participate in school board development activities designed for them. New board members will have the opportunity and will be encouraged to attend orientation programs for new board members sponsored by the state and national school board associations. It is the responsibility of the board to provide new board members a thorough orientation to board policies, practices and duties.

Each board member must fulfill the legal requirement to receive a minimum of 12 hours of training every two years.

All board members must receive a minimum of two hours of ethics education within 12 months after initial election or appointment to office and again within 12 months after each subsequent election or appointment to office. This education must address the laws and principles that govern conflicts of interest and ethical standards for local government officials. The superintendent shall maintain records verifying that each board member has participated in the required ethics education. The ethics education required under this paragraph may be counted towards the 12-hour training requirement.

Unless otherwise approved by the board, such training must be provided by the following entities: the Avery County School system, the North Carolina School Boards Association, the National School Boards Association, the School/Institute of Government or the Department of Public Instruction. If a board member wishes to receive training credit or be reimbursed for attending training offered by another entity, he or she must obtain approval from the board.

Funds for participation will be budgeted annually and reimbursement for expenses will be made in accordance with law and applicable board policy.

---

Legal References: G.S. 115C-50; 160A-86, -874

Cross References: Code of Ethics for School Board Members (policy 2120)

Adopted: 2008-05-05

Revised: 2012-03-13; 2016-04-12