Upcoming Meetings of the Board of Education

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - Regular Meeting 
7 pm
Middle School, 60 S. Lincoln Ave., Orchard Park, NY

As a Central School District, Orchard Park is organized under and subject to the provisions of Education Law Article 37. The Board is authorized to act as a body when duly called in session. Individual Board members have no authority over school affairs.  Board of Education meetings are defined by law as the official convening of a public body for the purpose of conducting public business.  Due to the fact that meetings of the Board of Education are held in public, they are frequently referred to as public, or open meetings. 

Board Meeting Agendas are posted the day prior to the Board meeting. Click to view current Board Agendas.

Board of Education Meeting Dates and special meetings may be called by the Board to discuss and act on matters that cannot wait until a regular Board meeting date. Notice must also be given for these meetings. Board of Education agendas are posted on the Monday prior to meeting dates. Please call 209-6280 if you have questions or need additional information.   

Educational topics for meetings will be planned and additional meetings will be scheduled as deemed necessary by the Board of Education and the Superintendent.  Meetings will be conducted in school buildings to be determined.  The 2024-25 Board Meetings will be held on:
     July 30, 2024 - 6 pm
     August 20, 2024 - 6 pm
     September 10, 2024
     October 8, 2024
     November 19, 2024
     December 10, 2024
     January 14, 2025 
     February 11, 2025
     March 11, 2025
     March 25, 2025 (if needed)
     April 8, 2025 (subject to change to align with E2CCBOCES component vote date)
     May 6, 2025
     May 20, 2025 - (annual vote date - HS Gym 7am-9pm)
     June 10, 2025

Most meetings will be streamed on the district website.  If there are technical issues, the meeting will be recorded and the recording will be available for viewing on the district's website.  The Orchard Park Central School District Board of Education meetings are meetings held in public and the Board of Education is not legally required to grant an opportunity for the community to make a comment to the Board during a Board Meeting.   However, the Orchard Park Board of Education welcomes community members, students and staff to attend their meetings and make a public comment or email correspondence to the Board at boe@opschools.org

Board of Education Mission Statement

"To serve the students and citizens of the Orchard Park Central School District, the Board of Education provides direction and leadership to create an atmosphere of excellence and accountability, for both the present and the future, so that all students can reach their full potential to live a life capably, responsibly and fully."

What is a Meeting?

"Meeting" is defined as "the official convening of a public body for the purpose of conducting public business." Because regular and special sessions (meetings) of the Board of Education are held in public they are frequently referred to as public, or open, meetings. Thus, this is a Board of Education meeting held in public; not a meeting of the public.  Although not required, a specific time is set aside during each regular Board meeting for residents and/or employees to make a comment to the Board of Education and the Superintendent.  The Board encourages you to contact the Superintendent of Schools or your building administrator for student matters or matters that do not require Board action and can be handled by administration.   

The Board also meets in executive session. Executive (closed door) sessions may be held by resolution of the Board at a regularly scheduled or announced special session or business session. An executive session is not separate from an open meeting. Rather it is a portion of an open meeting during which the public may not attend.  

The Open Meetings Law of New York State defines the subjects which may be discussed behind closed doors. Generally, these involve personnel matters, labor negotiations, litigation, and matters related to criminal investigations which would imperil the law enforcement process if publicly disclosed.

About Your Board of Education and the Role of a Board of Education

The Board of Education is elected by District voters to govern schools and determine educational policies. They take an Oath of Office to uphold all laws and regulations of the State and Federal Government.  Technically, Board members are Local Officials, their authority and duties are defined by the state and federal constitutions and laws as well as by rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Regents and commissioner of education, and other regulatory agencies. Terms are for three years. Board candidates run at-large instead of for a specific seat. Members of the Board of Education are volunteers. They receive no salary for their work.  They do not have the day-to-day duties of running a school district, rather their role is oversight and setting policy; the Superintendent is responsible for all aspects of the district and he/she reports to the Board.  

Meeting Agenda

There is no legal requirement to have an Agenda for a Boar of Education Meeting.   The current Board does use an Agenda to help organize the meeting.  The usual order of business at a regular meeting of the Board of Education is:

• Opening, which includes call to order, Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, roll call and announcements.
• Consensus Section, which includes one vote to approve minutes, financial matters, personnel matters, special education matters and textbook adoption recommendations.
• Reports
• Discussion
• Action Items
• A Public Comment Section for Residents or Staff of the District 
• Correspondence
• Provision for Executive Session
• Adjournment

NOTE: Items grouped under Consensus (minutes, finance, personnel) are considered as a group and usually voted upon with a single motion.