The Wilkes County Board of Education, as a corporate body, may transact business only at official meetings of the Board of Education. An individual Board member has no authority to act without the delegation of authority by the Board of Education at an official meeting.
As defined by law, an official meeting of the Board of Education includes any meeting, assembly or gathering together at any time or place or the simultaneous communication by conference telephone or other electronic means of a majority of the members of a public body for the purpose of conducting hearings, participating in deliberations, or voting upon or otherwise transacting the public business of the public body. However, a social meeting or other informal assembly or gathering together of the members of a public body does not constitute an official meeting unless called or held to evade the spirit and purposes of the open meetings law.
The Board shall follow a written agenda for all meetings.
A. Types of Meetings
While the Board of Education is determined to operate efficiently, it also is mindful of the importance of thoughtful planning and discussion prior to taking formal action. Regular meetings will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month as holidays allow at the Wilkes County Schools Learning Resource Center. In addition, the Board of Education may hold emergency meetings, work sessions, retreats, public hearings, or other special meetings as it deems necessary to act in a timely manner and provide its members and executive staff with the opportunity to have an exchange of ideas and receive input from other staff, parents, students and the community.
B. Regular Meetings
The superintendent will keep on file the schedule of regular meetings with the predetermined time and place. The schedule will be revised only in accordance with legal requirements for notice.
C. Emergency Meetings
An emergency meeting may be called in order to address generally unexpected circumstances that require immediate consideration by the Board of Education. The chairperson, or the vice-chairperson, if the chairperson is unable or unwilling to act, will call an emergency meeting when (a) two members so request; or (b) the chairperson determines the meeting is necessary.
D. Special Meetings
- Retreats and Workshops
Retreats and workshops are special meetings that may be scheduled in order to give the Board of Education more time to deliberate or evaluate issues. The chairperson, or the vice-chairperson, if the chairperson is unable or unwilling, will call a retreat or workshop upon a majority vote of the Board of Education.
- Public Hearings
Public hearings required by law or deemed advisable by the Board will be organized by a special order, adopted by a majority vote, setting forth the subject, date, place and time of the hearing as well as any rules regarding participation, such as the length of time for each speaker. The purpose of the meeting is to gather information and hear opinions from the community. Generally, board members will respond only to seek clarification. At the appointed time, the chairperson or designee will call the hearing to order and preside over it. When the allotted time expires or when no one wishes to speak, the chairperson or designee will declare the hearing ended.
- Other Special Meetings
Other special meetings may be scheduled in between regular meetings. The chairperson, or the vice-chairperson, if the chairperson is unable or unwilling to act, will call a special meeting to address a particular item or topic when (a) two members so request; or (b) the chairperson determines one is necessary.
E. Open Meetings Law Compliance
The board will comply with the open meetings law, including notice of meetings.
Legal References: G.S. 143-318.9 et seq.
Cross References: Compliance with the Open Meetings Law (policy 2320)
Adopted: January 9, 2006