Meeting Procedures
How do school boards make decisions?
Launch the media gallery 1 playerA board of education can only act during legally called board meetings. School boards have only the powers given them by state and federal constitutions and laws. An action of the board is not valid unless it receives a majority vote of the members at a board meeting. When making decisions, school boards may seek the advice of the district’s administrators, teachers, and other employees, as well as input from members of the community. Individual board members acting on their own, have no legal authority.
Can people attend school board meetings?
Yes. School boards must meet in compliance with the Sunshine Law and make public records available. Citizens are welcome at all board of educations meetings, except for a few legally specified circumstances calling for closed meetings. Minutes of all open board meetings are available to the public.
How can a person influence the decision a school board makes?
An individual can present his or her point of view to the school board through letters to the board or by request to the superintendent to be placed on the agenda. There are also community groups, such as parent-teacher associations, student groups and booster clubs that express opinions to the board. For additional information about your school system, contact the superintendent’s office at (816) 540-3161