Statement from the Board

[Guest Allison Niemiec]

At a regularly scheduled school board meeting of our school district, the following happened in this order:

1) People in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance;

2) Roll Call of Members was taken;

3) The Board President read a lengthy Board Statement (regarding the Board's position on our current teacher contract negotiations).

 

The agenda, as posted, for the public in attendance did not include "Board Statement," nor did the President move to amend the agenda to include the Board Statement. 

 

Was the President out of order by reading the Board Statement since it was not on the original agenda and it was not added by amendment? 

[jstackpo]

Can't say since there may be legal requirements for the agenda for School Board meetings.  RONR doesn't deal with legal issues  --  ask you local school attorney.

 

(It would not be out of order according to RONR, provided that the agenda was NOT adopted at the start of the meeting.)

[Josh Martin]

At a regularly scheduled school board meeting of our school district, the following happened in this order:

1) People in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance;

2) Roll Call of Members was taken;

3) The Board President read a lengthy Board Statement (regarding the Board's position on our current teacher contract negotiations).

 

The agenda, as posted, for the public in attendance did not include "Board Statement," nor did the President move to amend the agenda to include the Board Statement. 

 

Was the President out of order by reading the Board Statement since it was not on the original agenda and it was not added by amendment? 

 

So far as RONR is concerned, the agenda is not binding until it is adopted. From the facts provided, it seems that this had not yet occurred.

[Transpower]

But the school board did post its agenda for the public, and this agenda probably follows a standard format.  While it's true that an agenda is not binding until it's adopted, it strikes me as odd that the Chair would read a lengthy statement at the beginning of the meeting.  He should have waited until the officer reports or perhaps until new business.

[Richard Brown]

It appears to me that this is a school  board meeting which is most likely subject to open meetings laws regarding posting and following an agenda.   I think those laws, not RONR, will be controlling regarding "posting" and adhering to an agenda.  In addition, the school board likely has it's own special rules of order.

[Kim Goldsworthy]

Here is one possibility.

 

"The president was givng the president's report."

 

Reasoning:

 

The standard order of business (per RONR) is this:

 

1)    Reading and Approval of Minutes
2)    Reports of Officers, Boards, and Standing Committees
3)    Reports of Special (Select, or Ad Hoc) Committees
4)    Special Orders
5)    Unfinished Business and General Orders
6)    New Business

 

Therefore, perhaps the president was following the standard order of business.

 

There may not have been "Board Statement" on the agenda, but I bet there is an agenda item called "report from the president."

 

Maybe?

[Guest Allison Niemiec]

Our board, I was told, follows RONR. The meeting is subject to Open Meetings Act which requires agenda is posted 48 hours prior to the meeting and becomes binding at that time. Changes to the agenda, must be made by motion. The Board Statement was "odd" in its placement and seemed to be "out of order" and just checking all angles before I bring the question of inappropriate order of meeting. Thank you for your input. 

[Josh Martin]

The meeting is subject to Open Meetings Act which requires agenda is posted 48 hours prior to the meeting and becomes binding at that time. Changes to the agenda, must be made by motion.

 

Questions about compliance with your state's Open Meetings Act are beyond the scope of RONR and this forum.