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A quorum must be present, whether physically or electronically, in order to conduct an official meeting. A quorum shall consist of four members of the Board of Education.
Meetings may be held in person or by means of communication equipment including, but not limited to, conference calls, video conferences, Internet chats or Internet message boards.
Meetings of the Board of Education shall be open to the public and the press unless closed as authorized by law.
All Board meetings shall be held at a place of sufficient size to accommodate the anticipated members of the public and at a time that is reasonably convenient. In addition, reasonable efforts shall be made to make the meeting accessible to individuals with disabilities. If any of these statutory requirements are not met, the nature of the cause for noncompliance for the meeting will be stated in the Board minutes.
Audio, video and other electronic recordings of open meetings are allowed by law, but the Board may establish guidelines regarding the manner in which such recordings are conducted to minimize disruption to the meeting. Recording a closed meeting is prohibited unless permission has been granted by the Board by resolution. By passing this policy the Board grants permission to the Board secretary to record closed meetings as necessary to fulfill his or her duties.
The regular meeting of the Board shall be held on the second Tuesday in each month, at the hour of 5:30 p.m., except when a majority of the Board agrees in advance and public notice is given. Public meetings may be conducted in person or by conference call, video chats, Internet conferences, e-mails and Internet message board.
Special meetings may be held at the time set by the Board or on the call of the Board president or a majority of the Board. (Not less than twenty-four (24) hours written notice, stating the time and place of the meeting and the business to be considered, will be given to each member.) Simultaneously with the giving of notice of such meeting to the members of the Board, a written notice of the meeting and the matters to be considered will be posted in the same manner as postings for regular Board meetings.
The presence of a majority of the Board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. However, the letting of contracts, employment of personnel, approval of bills for payment and the ordering of warrants require an affirmative vote of a majority of the Board.
The Board may vote to conduct closed executive sessions as provided for in Policy 0430 - Executive Sessions. In order to enter into executive session, such motion must be approved by a roll call majority vote. The motion to enter executive session must reference the specific statutory matters to be discussed.
Any Board member may object to the closing of a meeting, record or vote if the member believes the motion to close violates the Sunshine Law; such member(s) must object at or before the motion to close is voted upon and must vote against closing. The member(s) shall be allowed to fully participate in any subsequent meeting or vote. The objecting member(s) shall be immune from any liability for improper closure of a meeting.
The open sessions of Board meetings may be audio or video taped. The Board has adopted guidelines set forth in Regulation 0410 to minimize the potential disruptive effect of such recordings.
The Board will allow members to participate electronically in meetings where other Board members are physically present, and the Board may hold meetings where all Board members participate electronically. This participation may occur by telephone, video conference or other electronic means. Board members may not simply vote electronically, but must: 1) be connected with the meeting throughout the discussion of business; 2) be able to hear or receive the same information as Board members physically present; and 3) participate in the discussion. If a Board member electronically joins the meeting after an item of business has been opened, the remotely located member shall not participate until the next item of business is opened.
Any Board members participating electronically will be considered present. The members shall be counted present for the purpose of establishing a quorum. If a Board member participates in a meeting electronically, the Board secretary will document this fact in the minutes. In accordance with law, Board members participating electronically may only vote in roll call votes if they are participating by videoconference or another legal exception applies.
Board members who wish to participate in a meeting electronically must notify the Board president and superintendent as early as possible. The superintendent will arrange for the meeting to take place in a location with the appropriate equipment so that Board members participating in the meeting electronically may interact and the public may observe or hear the comments made in open session. The superintendent will take measures to verify the identity of any remotely located participants if necessary. Board members participating electronically in a closed- session meeting must take measures to protect the confidentiality of the meeting and ensure that other persons will not overhear the discussion and votes. If the Board is not confident that appropriate measures have been or will be taken, the Board may refuse to allow a Board member to participate electronically in closed session.
Possession of firearms and weapons are prohibited from all school premises and school activities. This prohibition specifically applies to meetings and activities of the Board of Education and applies to all attendees, including members of the Board. The firearm prohibition includes permitted weapons. (See also Policy 1432 - Prohibition Against Firearms and Weapons.)