0120 HFC Powers and Philosophy

0121 Authority

The governance of Dearborn Public School District including Henry Ford Community College shall be exercised by the Board of Education, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Board of Trustees" or "Board", which is constituted and is governed by the laws of the State of Michigan.

M.C.L. 38.201 et seq.

0122 Board Powers

The power of this Board of Trustees extends to those matters expressly or implicitly granted by constitution, statute, local charter or ordinance, or other law.

The Board shall be a body corporate, and, as such, capable of suing and being sued, contracting and being contracted with, acquiring, holding, possessing and disposing of real and personal property, and taking and holding in trust for the use and benefit of the District, any grant or devise of land and any donation or bequest of money or other personal property.

•M.C.L. 380.1132

The Board shall have the general care and custody of the schools and property of the District and may regulate the use and occupancy of the District's properties.

M.C.L. 380.1261, 380.1264, 380.1268

M.C.L. 380.1131 et seq., 380.1300

0123 Philosophy of the Board

A Board of Trustees is a legal entity for providing a community college system within a geographic area of the State of Michigan. The system was created by, and is governed by, state statutes. Members of the Board are elected by citizens to represent them in the governance of the local schools.

The Board has the dual responsibility for implementing statutory requirements pertaining to public education and for meeting the desires of residents. While the Board has an obligation to determine and assess citizen desires, it is understood that when the voters elect delegates to represent them in the conduct of specified educational programs, they, at the same time, endow their representatives with the authority to exercise their best judgment in determining policies, making decisions, and approving procedures for carrying out the responsibility.

The Board declares and, thereby, reaffirms its intent to:

1. maintain two-way communications with citizens. The Board shall keep them informed of the progress and problems of the College, and the citizens shall be urged to bring their aspirations and concerns about the College to the attention of this body;

2. establish policies and make decisions on the basis of declared educational philosophy and goals; and

3. act as a truly representative body for all citizens in all matters related to programs and operations. The Board recognizes that ultimate responsibility for the community college rests with the state, but the Board of Trustees has been assigned specific authority through statute, and the Board shall not relinquish or fail to exercise that authority.