Richard Hardy Memorial School

2009-2010 Richard Hardy Special School District Board of Education

The members of the 2009-2010 school board are from left to right, Neal Raulston, Mark Garner, Holly Stewart, Matthew May, Bill Norman, and Johntae Standokes. The board is devised of two parts: the three elected members from the Richard City community and three seniors who provide insight from the students' perspective.

Mr. Bill Norman serves as the Chairman. Mrs. Holly Stewart serves as the Vice Chair. Mr. Mark Garner serves as a board member and Mrs. Patty Silver serves as the the secretary.

January 24-30, 2010 was declared School Board Appreciation Week in Tennessee by Governor Phil Bredesen. School members receive no pay for their work. The board respresents service to their community by taking an interest in children and preparing them for the future. These members serve countless hours preparing for meetings, reviewing policies, attending training, holding work sessions, and conducting public meetings to better the school. The board meets monthly to review and discuss matters pertaining to Richard Hardy Memorial School.

According to the Tennessee School Boards Association, the local board of education is a policy-making body and the individual members are considered officials of the state. A member's primary duty is to provide the opportunity for the best and most appropriate education for all children in the district. A board member has authority of expressing an opinion and casting a vote during a board meeting. Outside the board meeting, a board member has no authority over school matters. The school board creates policy and the school superintendent carries out the policy.