9325 9325Bylaws of the Board
Meeting Conduct
Meetings of the Board of Education shall be conducted by the Chairperson in a manner consistent with the adopted bylaws of the Board and the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
All Board meetings shall commence at or as close as practicable to, the stated time provided there is a quorum, and shall be guided by an agenda which has been prepared and delivered in advance to all Board members and other designated persons.
The conduct of meetings shall, to the fullest possible extent, enable members of the Board to (1) consider problems to be solved, weigh evidence related thereto, and make wise decisions intended to solve the problems, and (2) receive, consider and take any needed action with respect to reports of accomplishment of students or of school system operations.
Provisions for permitting any individual or group to address the Board concerning any subject that lies within its jurisdiction shall be as follows:
1. Five minutes may be allotted to each speaker and a maximum of twenty minutes to each subject matter with prerogative of Board Chairperson to extend the time as appropriate. The Board may modify these limitations at the beginning of the meeting if the number of persons wishing to speak makes it advisable to do so.
2. No boisterous conduct (alternate – inappropriate or disrespectful conduct) shall be permitted at any Board of Education meeting. Persistence in such conduct shall be grounds for summary termination, by the Chairperson, of that person’s privilege of address. If necessary, the Chairperson may clear the room so that the Board can continue the meeting.
3. Speakers may offer objective criticism of district operations and programs, but the Board encourages members of the public to address complaints concerning individual district personnel through the proper chain of command. The Chairperson may direct the member of the public to the appropriate means to address concerns brought before the Board; however the Board will not respond with action but will take comments under advisement and direct the comments to the appropriate staff member to address outside of the Board meeting.
4. Speakers are asked to express themselves in a civil manner, with due respect for the dignity and privacy of others who may be affected by their comments. While it is not the Board’s intent to stifle public comment, speakers should be aware that if their statements violate the rights of others under the law of defamation or invasion of privacy, the speaker may be held legally responsible. Speakers unsure of the legal ramification of what they are about to say are urged to consult first with their legal advisor.
The Board of Education may adjourn any regular or special meeting to a specified time and place. If all members of the Board are absent, the clerk may adjourn the meeting. A copy of the notice of adjournment shall be conspicuously displayed near the meeting room door within twenty-four hours of adjournment.
Actions by the Board
No action will be taken unless the subject acted upon was listed in the agenda published for that meeting, except that an item of business not included on the agenda of a regular meeting may be considered and acted upon after a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting to add such business to the agenda.
The Board of Education shall not adopt resolutions except where such adoption is required by law, or where the intent of the Board is to publish a status position of the Board, as in advising the General Assembly of the Board's position on a proposed law, or commending staff members or other agencies for work well done.
All actions taken by the Board shall be identified clearly in minutes of the Board meeting as provided in Bylaw 9326, minutes.
(cf. 1120 - Board of Education Meetings re Public Participation)
(cf. 1312 - Public Complaints)
(cf. 9321 - Time, Place, Notification of Meetings)
(cf. 9322 - Public and Executive Sessions)
(cf. 9323 - Construction/Posting of Agenda)
(cf. 9325.43 – Attendance at Meetings via Electronic Communications)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1-200 Definitions
1-206 Denial of access of public records or meetings. Notice. Appeal
1-210 Access to public records
1-225 Meetings of government agencies to be public
1-226 Recording, broadcasting or photographing meetings
19a-342 Smoking prohibited in certain places. Sign required. Penalty
1-231 Executive sessions
1-232 Conduct of meetings (re disturbances)
10-224 Duties of the Secretary
Bylaw adopted by the Board:
9325
Another version of this bylaw.
Bylaws of the Board
Meeting Conduct
Meetings of the Board of Education shall be conducted by the Chairperson of the Board of Education in a manner consistent with the adopted Bylaws of the Board.
All Board meetings shall commence at the stated time or as soon thereafter as a quorum is present and shall be guided by an Agenda which will have been prepared and delivered in advance to all Board Members and other designated persons.
The meetings shall, to the fullest possible extent, enable Members to conduct the business of the Board in an orderly, expeditious manner.
Provisions for permitting any individual or group to address the Board concerning any subject that lies within its jurisdiction shall be as follows:
1. A 3 minute time limit may be allowed to each speaker with a maximum of 20 minutes per meeting being allocated for any one item of the Agenda.
2. The Chairperson shall not permit actions which disrupt or interrupt the orderly conduct of the Board meeting. A willful participant in such conduct will be asked to leave the meeting of the Board. In case of a general disturbance the meeting room many be cleared except for non-participating representatives of the press.
3. The Board may, by a majority vote, decide to cancel or extend the 20 minutes allotted per item of the Agenda.
4. Questions which can be answered during the meeting may be answered at the option of the Board. Other inquiries which may require analysis/investigation will, at the option of the Board, be answered at a future specified date.
5. No speaker making an oral presentation shall include charges or complaints of a personal nature against any individual Board member or individual employee of the Board of Education, whether named or not. All such charges or complaints concerning individual Board members or the Superintendent should be sent to the Chairperson of the Board and to such other Members as deemed appropriate. All such charges or complaints concerning individual deemed appropriate. All such charges or complaints concerning individual employees of the Board should be sent to the immediate superior of the person to whom the complaint relates. If a satisfactory answer is not received, then a written appeal may be filed with the next higher authority.
Bylaw adopted by the Board:
9325
A version from Madison.
Bylaws of the Board
Public Participation At Board Meetings
All regular and special meetings of the Board will be open to the public. Because the Board desires to hear the viewpoints of citizens throughout the district, it will schedule one or more periods during each meeting for public participation. It may set a time limit on the length of this period and/or a time limit for individual speakers.
Comments and questions at a regular meeting may deal with any topic related to the Board's conduct of the schools. Comments at special meetings must be related to the call of the meeting.
The Board Chairperson will be responsible for recognizing all speakers. To maintain proper order and to adhere to any set time limits, all speakers must properly identify themselves. Questions asked by the public will, when possible, be answered immediately by the Chairperson or referred to staff members present for appropriate reply. Questions requiring investigation will be referred to the Superintendent for consideration and later response.
Members of the public will only be recognized by the Chairperson as the Board conducts its official business at the discretion of the Board.
(cf. 1120 - Board of Education Meetings re Public Participation)
(cf. 1312 - Public Complaints)
(cf. 9321 - Time, Place, Notification of Meetings)
(cf. 9322 - Public and Executive Sessions)
(cf. 9323 - Construction/Posting of Agenda)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1-200 Definitions
1-206 Denial of access of public records or meetings. Notice. Appeal 1-210 Access to public records
1-225 Meetings of government agencies to be public
1-226 Recording, broadcasting or photographing meetings
19a-342 Smoking prohibited in certain places. Sign required. Penalty
1-231 Executive sessions
1-232 Conduct of meetings (re disturbances)
10-224 Duties of the Secretary
Bylaw adopted by the Board: