March 30, 2026

Policy 1001: Introduction and Information

Board Policies & Rules: Section 1000: Board Bylaws
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The Board shall establish programs and procedures, which shall best produce the educational achievement needed by District students. The Board will function as a legislative body in formulating and adopting policy, by selecting an executive officer to implement policy and by evaluating the results. Further, the Board shall carry out its functions openly, while seeking the involvement and contributions of the students, staff, and public in its decision-making processes. 

Board Purpose 

To represent the public's interest in conceiving, developing, and implementing policies and guidelines which empower the Superintendent to direct the entire Grand Rapids Public Schools' (GRPS) corporate structure to provide a quality education for all students in the GRPS, and in so doing, ensure that students are educated, self directed, and productive citizens. 

Governing Philosophies 

In governing on behalf of a quality education for all students within the Grand Rapids Public Schools, the Board of Education's decisions and policy-making will be founded on the principles listed below.

  • Fostering and modeling an atmosphere of respect for human dignity and the talents and contributions of all persons.
  • Providing a system of accountability for delivering quality education that can be measured.
  • Putting students' needs first by making decisions with a sense of honesty, sincerity, fairness, and integrity.
  • Striving to meet the needs of all children through decision-making based on an equitable distribution of resources.
  • Listening to hear the words and intentions of all who speak.
  • Putting what we learn and do into a system perspective which meets the mission of the District.
  • Compromising and collaborating to achieve the goal of a quality education for all students of the GRPS.

Elections 

Nominating Petition/Filing Fee 

The School District Election Coordinator (the Grand Rapids City Clerk) shall receive nominating petitions from persons running for the Board or, in the alternative, personally receive a nonrefundable statutory filing fee paid by the candidate.

Special Elections 

The Board may schedule special elections at such time, under law, as it shall designate and for such purposes as determined by the Board.

Advice of Legal Counsel 

The Board shall seek the advice of legal counsel concerning the proper procedure for scheduling special school elections.


Approved: June 29, 2009
LEGAL REF: MCL 168.301-303; 168.641