SECTION B: SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE AND OPERATIONS

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1 SECTION B: SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE AND OPERATIONS Section B is a repository for statements about the school board - how it is elected, organized; how it conducts its meetings and operates. This section includes bylaws and policies and establishes the board's internal operating procedures. Date of Approval/Revision BA Board Operational Goals Guiding Philosophy Ten Top Ideas for New School Board Members BAA Priority Objectives of Board Operations Acceptable Objectives for Education BB School Board Legal Status The Legal Basis Name BBA School Board Powers and Duties Responsibilities of Board Adopting policies, rules and regulations, and bylaws Powers and Duties Policy Development and Dissemination BBAA Board Member Authority (And Responsibility) BBB School Board Elections 5-93 Annual Election Qualifications of Elector BBBA Board Member Qualifications Membership Term of Office Filing of Notification and Declaration of Candidacy Board Member, Interest in Contracts or other business (refer to policy # DJ) BBBA-R1 New Board Member Workshop BBBA-R2 School Board Members Training and Continuing Education Requirements BBC Board Member Resignation Failure to Qualify Filling of Vacancies BCA Board Organizational Meeting Organization and Election of Officers 10:29 August 29, 2017

2 SECTION B (cont'd) (2 of 2) Date Approved/Revised BCD Board-Superintendent Relationship BCE Board Committees BD School Board Meetings (Combined BD, BDA, BDB, BDDA) BDDB Agenda Format BDDC Agenda Preparation and Dissemination Construction of Agenda BDDD Quorum 8-86 BDDE Rules of Order Conduct Parliamentary Procedure BDDF Voting Method BDDG Minutes 9-88 BDDH Public Participation at Board Meetings BF Board Policy Development BFA Policy Development System BFC Policy Adoption BFD Policy Dissemination BFF Suspension of Policies BFG Policy Review of Regulations Amendment of Policies, Bylaws and Regulations BG Board-Staff Communications BG-R1 School Board Communication Guidelines

3 BA BOARD OPERATIONAL GOALS BA Guiding Philosophy We believe that in the establishing and supporting of a school system for all the people that the people want the school as a public institution to provide to the degree possible: 1. A well-qualified and efficient corps of teachers of such character that, if the child should become like any one of the teachers, the parents and others would be proud of the child. 2. The physical plant and equipment that shall be adequate to meet the most exacting needs of every child, the like of which separate families could not provide. 3. Wholesome and challenging experiences for effective learning, the like of which the most adequate home could not provide. 4. An educational leadership which courageously and ably leads to continuous school improvement for the welfare of all the children. Ten Top Ideas for New School Board Members The research division of the State Department of Education developed these for use in the workshop for new school board members. 1. Remember that the only authority you possess lies in the action of the school board, unless specifically delegated to you by the Board as a whole. You possess, as an individual member of the Board, no legal authority. 2. Go slow in the beginning, especially if you have come on the Board to reform it. The chances are you will feel a lot differently about a good many things six months after you are on the Board. 3. Do not let your differences of opinion on policy with other members of the Board degenerate into personality conflicts and cliques. Nothing is so devastating to good Board procedure as a situation where one member votes for a measure simply because another member votes against it. August 2, 1982

4 BA (page 2 of 2) 4. Don't talk too much. You may acquire a reputation for wisdom beyond your merit simply by not saying the wrong thing at the wrong moment. One thing is certain: You're not learning when you are talking. You are learning when you are listening. 5. If possible, keep out of the quicksand of teacher personnel problems. The Board has hired a superintendent and his staff to take that responsibility. 6. Give the superintendent and his staff your public support except in unusual and mitigating circumstances. The superintendent has the right to expect this. After all, he was hired by a majority of the Board. To undermine him subsequently with criticism is officially unethical. (At times there will be a difference of opinion on policy between you and the superintendent. But rather than seek the support of the press and the public platform to express and bolster your individual viewpoint, use the medium of individual conferences with the superintendent and the official discussions and the decisions of the Board as it meets in legal session to iron out these legitimate differences.) 7. Welcome people who come to see you about school problems. If the problem is a controversial one, remember, however, that in all probability you are hearing only one side of the story. Do not commit yourself in advance to a course of action that later you may regret because your decision was made hastily when you were ill-informed. Too, the Board, as a whole, may not support your views and you could find yourself in that embarrassing position of having unnecessarily committed yourself to a course of action that the Board rejects. 8. Make a real effort to be informed. School business is always important business, and these days it is often big business with budgets in hundreds of thousands of dollars and even several million dollars. 9. In order to increase your value to the Board, build a broad base knowledge and also acquire additional knowledge in some specialized field. This will develop, naturally, from your own interests. The specialized field you choose may be, for example, economy in new school construction, the school health program, music and art, the athletic program, or the instructional field. 10. Accept your job on the Board as one of responsible leadership in the community. Recognize it as a key spot in public relations. You will be expected to attend and participate intelligently in innumerable public meetings on school affairs. This is more than an opportunity. With your wider knowledge and broader viewpoint, as a member of the school board, you have an obligation to interpret school affairs to an interested public.

5 BAA PRIORITY OBJECTIVES OF BOARD OPERATIONS BAA Acceptable Objectives for Education Muskogee, like most American communities, is in an ever-changing social community where young people live and grow up. Here they should be provided with opportunities to determine and to work toward goals that are purposeful and significant to them. They are to be given experiences which are designed to develop their talents and characteristics which are essential to wholesome child life and lead to a profitable adult life. Subject matter is to be thought of in terms of units of living and learning. We believe that in every experience the whole child must be considered: mental, social, moral, spiritual, physical, and emotional. In teaching, as in parenthood, the school must start where the child is. The school must provide challenges for the child according to his abilities. The school should not expect all children to develop at the same rate. The school program must be adjusted to the child's needs, interests, abilities, and rate of growth. The 1937 Policies Commission developed four basic objectives of education which the Muskogee Board of Education feels are still significant. They are: 1. The objective of self-realization. 2. The objective of human relationship. 3. The objective of economic efficiency. 4. The objective of civic responsibility. The Muskogee Public Schools' policies for quality education include the following instructional goals under these four basic educational objectives: 1. Self-realization objectives. In order that youngsters may become all that their talents promise for them and their parents desire for them, it is essential: a. To contrive experiences that will create a desire to learn and a desire to search for the truth. Approved: August 2, 1982

6 BAA (2 of 4) b. To teach each student how to read and write effectively and to speak the English language clearly. c. To assist in developing logical thinking ability in order to solve mathematical and scientific problems, as well as the problems of daily living. d. To help cultivate within each student an ability to observe, to listen, to analyze, and to project. e. To help each understand the basic facts and elements of health and disease. f. To assist each in cultivating an appreciation for beauty and a respect for his/her cultural heritage. g. To guide them in learning how to make worthwhile use of their leisure time. h. To assist them in acquiring a scientific attitude toward the living forms and resources they find in their environment. i. To foster an understanding of the inter-relationship existing between man and his environment. j. To inspire each to determine worthy goals; that is, select adequate goals for living that will guide them toward the achievement of a good life. 2. Human relationships objectives. In order to develop in each child attitudes and proficiencies for wholesome, human relationships, it is essential: a. To develop cooperative understandings and the willingness to work, play, and cooperate with others. b. To provide enjoyable experiences which will provide for each student wholesome, sincere, and lasting friendships. c. To develop the realization that family relationships influence the manner in which an individual conducts himself in a group since respect and consideration for others is the heart of good living. d. To help cultivate an appreciation and regard for the inter-relationships of individuals and groups in the home, the school, the community, the state, the nation, and the world in preparing for the democratic way of life.

7 BAA (3 of 4) 3. Economic efficiency objectives. In order that young people may acquire a sense of economic accountability and productive efficiency, it is essential for the school to: a. Provide training for them to become intelligent consumers as well as efficient producers. b. Help them understand the requirements and opportunities of various occupations. c. Lead them to feel the dignity and honor in labor in all fields. d. Help them to feel the satisfaction that comes from good workmanship and in a day's labor well-performed. e. Provide guidance in choosing an occupation best suited to each individual's aptitudes and potentialities and for opportunities to improve in those skills needed for their efficiency. f. Help each gain an appreciation for the inter-dependence of workers and for what their work or labor means to other people. g. Provide the opportunities for students to receive training for college entrance or employment in the home, agriculture, industry, business, or the professions. h. Assist them in planning the economics of their own lives. i. Show them how to use purposeful and constructive thinking in deciding the priority of values. j. Assist them in developing a discriminating sense of values for guiding them in making economic decisions, in seeking information and acquiring skills as a buyer, and in taking appropriate measures to safe-guard this interest, and the interest of those dependent upon them.

8 BAA (4 of 4) 4. Objectives of civic responsibility. In order that Muskogee students may learn that liberty with security demands civic responsibility, it is essential to: a. Give immediate and continuing attention to the promotion of the ideals of peace. b. Lead them to acquire attitudes of tolerance, respect, and a desire to understand others and their problems. c. Offer them opportunity and help in developing characteristics and desirable qualities of good leadership. d. Help them develop the ability to carry out responsibilities without constant prodding and direction. e. Assist them in learning to operate in groups as a working democracy where students can be taught respect for law, authority, civic duties, and honest difference of opinion. f. Give them practice in the procedures of democracy so that, as citizens, they have courage, unselfishness, and a fine sense of honor. g. Help them become a participating member in the democratic process by voting, serving on committees, and even standing for public office when the need demands it and the qualifications are adequate. h. Teach them to reserve opinions on public issues until all facts have been reviewed, the propaganda evaluated and a clear understanding of the issue is resolved in one's mind.

9 BB SCHOOL BOARD LEGAL STATUS BB The Legal Basis The Muskogee Board of Education derives its power from the state legislature, the rules and regulations of the State Department of Education, and the Oklahoma Constitution. Therefore, it is an agent of the state as well as a representative of the local people. The Board of Education is the only legal authority in School District I-20 to operate and maintain a system of free and public schools. (Article V, Sections 51 and 52, Oklahoma School Code) Name The name of the district is Muskogee School District I-20, Muskogee County, State of Oklahoma. Approved: August 2, 1982

10 BBA (1 of 2) SCHOOL BOARD POWERS AND DUTIES BBA Responsibilities of Board The Muskogee Board of Education, within Muskogee School District I-20, elected by the electors of the district and given legal authority by the constitution and by the statutes of the State of Oklahoma, shall have responsibility for: Adopting policies, rules and regulations, and bylaws 1. The Board of Education shall adopt the necessary policies, rules, and regulations for the proper directing, managing, controlling, and governing the affairs of School District I For the best interest of the children and staff, carefully prepared statements of policies, rules, and regulations for the effective administration and operation and coordination for the school program and its activities is essential. This statement of policies, rules, and regulations shall embody those policies, rules, and regulations that have been heretofore formally adopted by the Board of Education; those statements of policy and rules which have been developed by precedent without formal adoption as will clarify practices now generally in use as well as giving direction to the employed staff of schools. 3. It is not the purpose of this statement of policies, rules, and regulations to change the presently employed policies in practice but rather that the policies shall be brought together in one document for ready reference, and that such additional policy, rules, and regulations statements as may be needed from time to time to give direction to an authority for smooth school operation may be developed. 4. The Muskogee Board of Education shall periodically examine, revise, add to, or reject policy statements and rules and regulations that have been developed. The organization of this statement policy, rules and regulations shall be such as to permit easy and convenient additional revision and for the location of the governing policies, rules, and regulations when the need arises. Powers and Duties The purpose of the Muskogee Board of Education, according to the Oklahoma Statutes Approved: August 2, 1982 Revised: July 15, 2014

11 BBA (2 of 2) and rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, is to provide education of the highest feasible character for all the children of the residents of the district, taking into account the wishes and desires of the people of the district and their ability and willingness to support such program of education financially and morally. (Article V, Oklahoma School Code) Policy Development and Dissemination Policy Development: The Board shall determine the general District policies for the general operation of the District. The Superintendent shall be responsible for the implementation of these policies and for developing and implementing administrative regulations. The Board shall update, amend, delete, and add policies as necessary to comply with changes in the law and to meet the needs of the District and its students. Suggestions and proposals for policy development should be communicated to the Superintendent. Policy Adoption: Proposed policies shall be announced, posted on the district website, and distributed at a meeting of the Board. The Board may then review, discuss, and/or take action on the proposed policies at that meeting or at any subsequent meeting. Generally, the Board will observe a two-reading adoption process at successive meetings of the Board. However, a single-reading process may be appropriate and so recommended to the Board by the Superintendent for certain policy adoptions, amendments and deletions. All policy proposals shall be properly titled and shall be coded in accordance with the codification system used in the policy manual. Upon adoption, policies and amendments to policies shall be effective immediately unless a specific effective date is provided. Policy and Regulation Review and Dissemination: The Superintendent shall establish and maintain a procedure for preserving and making accessible all policies and administrative regulations. The Superintendent may develop and disseminate employee handbooks setting forth appropriate policies and administrative regulations to the extent that they are deemed necessary. All policy and regulations manuals distributed shall remain the property of the District and shall be subject to recall for updating or for any other reason. The District s policies and regulations shall be considered public records and shall be open for inspection at the District s administration building. The Superintendent shall periodically review all policies and regulations, shall make proposals for amendments, additions, and deletions of policies as necessary, and shall amend, add, or delete administrative regulations as necessary. The Board shall retain the prerogative to review any and all policies and administrative regulations and may suggest or direct that certain policies and regulations be added, modified, or deleted. Administration in Absence of Policy or Regulation: When there is no policy, regulation, or Board guidance regarding a matter, the Superintendent shall have the discretion to act accordingly in accordance with law and established education practices. Suspension of Policy: The Board may suspend the operation of any policy or section of policy that is not required by law or contract upon a vote of a majority of Board members.

12 BBAA BBAA BOARD MEMBER AUTHORITY (AND RESPONSIBILITY) The Board of Education has the authority to act only when a quorum is present at a duly called regular or special meeting. An individual Board of Education member exercises the authority and responsibility of his/her position only when the Board of Education is in legal session or when it has delegated to that member temporary powers for a specific purpose and/or assignment. In all other cases, the Board of Education will not be bound in any way by any statement or action on the part of the individual members of the Board of Education. The intent of this policy is not to curtail the Board of Education member's own interest and desire to serve the school community even when the Board of Education is not in session. The public has a right to expect a member of the Board of Education to be able to discuss school matters with understanding, and a member of the Board of Education has a right to expect access to information which makes it possible for him/her to be informed about school affairs. Such information may come to the Board of Education member in casual conversations with the public, parents, or Board of Education employees. More information will come from bulletins and publications from the office of the Superintendent and members of the school staff. When a Board of Education member is seeking information about a specific problem, he/she should ask the Superintendent to prepare a report on the matter. Occasionally, a person or group of persons may confront a single member of the Board of Education with a problem or complaint which should be handled by the Superintendent or a member of the staff. Each Board of Education member must decide how much time he/she can spend on the problems or complaint and what the demands of courtesy should be in each case. However, no member, nor the Board of Education itself, will officially consider or act on such problems or complaints until they have been discussed with the Superintendent of Schools, in accordance with the Board approved procedures. Approved: August 2, 1982

13 BBB SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS BBB Annual Election The annual election for School District I-20 shall be the second Tuesday in February each year between the hours of seven o'clock a.m. and seven o'clock p.m. The County Election Board is authorized to select polling places; and the polling place officials shall be selected by the county election board from among duly appointed members of precinct election boards within this county. Qualifications of Elector To be eligible to vote in a school district election, a person must be registered with the county election board at an address located within the geographical boundaries of the district. The elector shall present them self to the election officials in the precinct where he/she is registered, sign the poll book, and receive a ballot. Any person knowingly and willingly voting illegally, or found guilty of casting more than one vote in any Muskogee school district election, shall be subject to a fine and imprisonment as prescribed by the Oklahoma School Statutes. ( ) Approved: August, 1992

14 BBBA (1 of 3 pages) BBBA BOARD MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS Membership The Muskogee Board of Education shall consist of five members elected at large by the qualified electors of Muskogee School District I-20. Although the members are elected at large, one member of the Board of Education shall be elected to represent each election district (see map on last page of policy). Election districts are to be "compact, contiguous and shall be as equal in population as may be practicable with not more than a ten percent (10%) variance between the most populous and least populous election districts." Notice that the districts are to be equal in "population" rather than in registered voters. Indeed, the district is barred by statute from using voter registration cards in making its census. (Oklahoma School Law, Pg 30, Section 58.B.1.A., Section 58.B.1.D.) The positions on the Board of Education shall be: Office No. 1 - Ward One (2006)* Office No. 2 - Ward Two (2007)* Office No. 3 - Ward Three (2008)* Office No. 4 - Ward Four (2009)* Office No. 5 - Outlying District (2005)* *Years of next election. Term of Office Each member shall be elected for a term of five years. The term of office shall commence at the first meeting after election and certification of newly elected Board member by County Election Board. Filing of Notification and Declaration of Candidacy No person shall be elected or voted upon, nor shall his candidacy be submitted or considered at any school district election, unless he is a school district elector of the district and shall have filed a notification and declaration of his candidacy with the county election board during the official filing period. If, within the filing period, only one person files a notification and declaration of candidacy for an office as a member of the Board of Education, said person shall be deemed to have been elected to the office and no election shall be held for such office. (Oklahoma School Law, ) At the time a school district elector files a notification and declaration of candidacy for the office of district board of education membership, such elector shall agree and pledge in writing that, upon election or appointment as a member of the district board of

15 education, such member will attend a two-day workshop to be held within the state by the State Department of Education in cooperation with the Oklahoma State School Boards Association for study and instruction on the subjects of school finance, the Oklahoma School Code and related laws, and the ethics, duties and responsibilities of district board of education members. The appropriate form is available in the office of Superintendent, and will be furnished to all candidates certified by the County Election Board. Provided, that the provision of this subsection shall not apply to any elector who has had prior experience of one (1) year or more immediately preceding the date of the school district election as a member of the district board of education to which membership is sought. Revised: December 11, 2001 Revised: June 20,2017

16 MUSKOGEE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT I-20 BBBA-R1 Page 1 of 1 NEW BOARD MEMBER WORKSHOP The policy of this Board of Education will assist newly elected board members to become familiar with their duties and responsibilities as quickly as possible. All board members are encouraged to attend appropriate workshops, seminars, and conventions in order to develop professionalism and expertise. A school board member who is elected or appointed to be a member of the board of education prior to January 1, 2014, shall complete 2 hours of school finance, 2 hours of open meeting/open records act, 1 hour of new business, 1 hour of ethics, duties and responsibilities, 2 hours of legal issues, 1 hour of school employment, 2 hours of IDEA/Special Education, and 1 hour of Educational issues for a total of twelve (12) hours of instruction within the first fifteen (15) months of election or appointment. Failure to earn these requirements in the fifteen (15) month period will result in a requirement that the board of education declare the seat vacant as per state law. The individual who failed to earn the credits in the statutory deadline is prohibited by law from serving for a full term of office. A school board member who is elected or appointed to be a member of the board of education on or after January 1, 2014, shall be required to earn twelve (12) new board member credits within the first fifteen (15) months of office. These twelve (12) credits shall include at least one (1) hour of instruction in school finance, one (1) hour of instruction in the Oklahoma Open Records Act and the Oklahoma Open Meeting act, and one (1) hour of instruction in ethics. The remaining nine (9) hours may be in legal issues, due process, new laws, the Oklahoma Open Records act and the Open Meeting Act, duties and responsibilities, which include but are not limited to special education and ethics of district board of education members. Board members, who attend and successfully complete such workshops as required by state law, which are presented by the OSSBA, the State Board of Education, or an organization or association approved by the SDE, shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in accordance with the district s travel reimbursement policy. The superintendent or the superintendent s designee will maintain records of each board member s training accomplishments and will notify any board member of the need for the board member to accomplish any additional training. The superintendent will notify the State Department of Education of any changes in board membership. Reference: 70 O.S Revised: November 13, 2001 Board Approved: December 11, 2001 Revised: December 10, 2013

17 MUSKOGEE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT I-20 BBBA-R2 Page 1 of 1 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS The school board in modern America faces a difficult set of challenges. It must fashion a quality educational program to prepare children for an unpredictable tomorrow. lt must decide complex issues of policy and principle. It must oversee the prudent management of our community's extensive school facility. It is right and proper for the public to expect its elected and/or appointed board members to demonstrate high qualities of leadership as they deal with affairs of the public schools. It is also right and proper for a school board to expect public support for its efforts to enlarge the horizons and abilities of its members. Funds may be budgeted annually to support the program. Individual board members shall be reimbursed f o r out of pocket expenses incurred through participation in approved activities. The board, as a whole, shall retain the authority to approve or disapprove the participation of members in planned activities. The public shall be kept informed through the news media about the board's continuing in-service education and about the programs anticipated for short- and long-range benefits to our schools. The board regards the following as the kinds of activities and services appropriate for implementing this policy: 1. Participation in school board conferences, workshops, and conventions held by the state and national school boards associations. 2. District-sponsored training sessions for board members. 3. Subscriptions to publications addressed to the concerns of board members. In order to control both the investment of time and funds necessary to implement this policy, the board establishes these principles and procedures for its guidelines: 1. A calendar of school board conferences, conventions, and workshops shall be maintained by the superintendent. The board will periodically decide which meetings appear to be most promising in terms of producing direct and indirect benefits to the school district. 2. Funds for participation at such meetings will be budgeted on an annual basis. When funds are limited, the board will designate which

18 of its members would be the most appropriate to participate at a given meeting. 3. Reimbursement to board members for their travel expenses will be in accordance with the travel expense policy for staff members. (See policy ) 4. When a conference, convention, or workshop is not attended by the full board, those who do participate will be requested to share information, recommendations, and materials acquired at the meeting. School board members are encouraged to attend workshops presented by the county, state, and national school boards associations. Professional journals and books in the school libraries shall be made available to every board member. The Superintendent shall provide information to the full school board as to the status of school board member training credits under an appropriately worded agenda item. The report shall include the number of new or incumbent credits, as well as the number of continuing education credits each board member has earned. This report shall be provided to the members of the board of education at the August, November, February, and May regular meetings of the board of education. By March I, the Oklahoma State Department of Education will notify school board members who have not yet completed training requirements that they are required to do so. If the board member fails to earn training credits in the timeline set by statute, the Oklahoma State Depa1iment of Education will notify by certified mail the school boards and the superintendent that a board member has failed to earn the required training credits. The board of education will then have thirty {30) days to declare the seat vacant. Reference: 70 O.S O.S Revised: December 11, 2001 Revised: June 20, 2017

19 MUSKOGEE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT I-20 BBBA-R-2(A) Page 1 of 1 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS Elected/Re-elected to a FULL TERM of Service 1. Training/Instruction Courses (All Board Members) Newly Elected Members (2 day or 12 hours training) Must be completed within fifteen (15) months following election Reelected Member (6 hours training) Must be completed within fifteen (15) months following election 2. Continuing Education Training (All Board Members) Elected to Five-year (5) term (15 hours training) Must be completed prior to filing for re-election Elected to LESS THAN A FULL TERM of Service 3. Newly Elected Member (2 day or 12 hours) Must be completed within fifteen (15) months following election Approved: December 11, 2001

20 BBC BOARD MEMBER RESIGNATION BBC Failure to Qualify A position on the board of education of any school district shall automatically become vacant upon the failure of a person who has been elected or appointed thereto to qualify within thirty (30) days after his election or appointment or the beginning of his term of office, whichever occurs first. (Article V, Oklahoma School Code) Filling of Vacancies The board may fill a vacancy on the board by appointment or by special election. The Attorney General has ruled that a school board member may interview candidates for appointment in executive session (AG Op. No ). The following suggested agenda language does not represent approval or disapproval of any action that may be taken by the board of education: Proposed executive to interview candidates and to discuss appointment of a volunteer to the Muskogee Board of Education. 25 O.S Vote to convene or not to convene in executive session. Vote to return to Open Session. Executive session minutes compliance announcement. Vote to appoint or not to appoint a volunteer to the position of board members of the Muskogee Board of Education. If the filing period has closed for an open position on the school board and no candidate has filed resulting in a vacancy, the board may appoint to fill the vacancy. In this very limited circumstance, the board may determine that the person appointed does not have to reside in the board election ward. The person appointed would have to fulfill all other requirements as set forth in law for school board candidates. Any person appointed who does not reside in the board election ward may only serve the appointed term of office and would not be eligible to refile for that board seat. If the board cannot reach a decision with regard to appointing an individual to fill the position within 60 days, the board is required to call a special election. The resolution calling for a special election must be delivered to the secretary of the county election board no fewer than 60 days preceding the election. However, the board is not required

21 to wait until the next date the county is holding an election. It is at the discretion of the board as to when the election will be held, as long as the resolution is provided to Individuals elected to fill a vacancy serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. If an individual is appointed to the seat, the appointee shall serve until the next regular election if the person appointed to fill such vacancy in the first half of the term of office for the board position. If the person is appointed to full such vacancy after the first half of the term of office for the board position, then the appointee shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term. REFERENCE: 26 O.S. 13A-110 Notification of Changes in Board Membership The Superintendent of Schools shall, immediately following notification of vacancy, notify the State Department of Education of such change. Approved: August 2, 1982 Revised: May, 1993 Revised: January 17, 2017

22 BCA BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING BCA Organization and Election of Officers The Board of Education at its first meeting following the annual school election shall reorganize by naming the fifth year member as president, the fourth year member as vice-president, and the third year member as clerk and the second year member as Vice Clerk.. Revised: February 7, 1984 Revised: February 19, 2013

23 BCD BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT RELATIONSHIP BCD The Board of Education of Independent School District I-20 conceives its responsibilities to the electors to include the management and direction of the schools under its jurisdiction. The Board members recognize their limitations of time, training, and experience to give personal attention to the time-consuming and detailed operation of the school program. The superintendent of the schools shall be delegated to employ personnel who shall be responsible to the Board of Education. Approved: August 2, 1982

24 BCE BOARD COMMITTEES BCE The Board of Education shall operate as a unit and/or as a committee as a whole. This does not prevent the appointment of special committees to investigate and/or plan special or particular tasks when they arise. Individual members of the Board and/or committees of the Board shall not have authority to act for the Board except in the case of temporary powers delegated by the Board of Education for a specific purpose and/or assignment. Approved: August 2, 1982

25 MUSKOGEE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT I-20 BD Page 1 of 2 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS AND NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES The Board of Education shall transact all business at official meetings of the board. A meeting is defined as the gathering of a majority of members of a public body to discuss school business. Board meetings shall be regarded as public meetings and may be either regular, special, or emergency meetings, defined as follows: Regular Meeting - The usual official legal action meeting held regularly (devoted to regular agenda items of unfinished and new business, reports from the Superintendent of Schools and other district personnel). The regular meeting of the Board of Education shall be the third Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise stated, at 6:00 p.m. in the Main Board Room of the B.E.S.T. Center, located at 202 West Broadway, Muskogee, Oklahoma or other school facility as designated. Special Meeting - an official legal action meeting called between scheduled regular meetings to consider specific topics as listed on agendas. Special meetings of the board may be called by the President or any two members of the board of education at any time and will be held under the provisions outlined in the State of Oklahoma Open Meeting Law (Title 25, Sections of State Statutes). Emergency Meeting - an official legal action meeting held only for dealing with situations involving either injury to persons or damage to public or personal property or an immediate financial loss so severe that the 48-hour notice period of a special meeting would be impractical and increase the likelihood of injury or damage or immediate financial loss. Notification of Meetings - Notice of all meetings of the board of education shall be made in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Law except that federal confidentiality laws take precedence and except that a board of education is not considered a public body and is not subject to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Law when the board meets for the sole purpose of considering recommendations of a multidisciplinary team and deciding the placement of any child who is the subject of such recommendations. Otherwise, a written notice of the date, time and place of the meeting will be mailed and delivered to each person, newspaper, wire service, radio station, and television station that has filed a written request for such notice. Procedures for insuring proper notice, preparing agendas, etc., are as follows: Adopted: December 11, 2001 Revised: May 18, 2010

26 MUSKOGEE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT I-20 BD Page 2 of 2 1. Prior to December 15, each year, the board of education shall provide the county clerk a listing of the time, date, and place of all regular meetings for the coming calendar year. 2. Any change in the date, time, or place of a regular meeting shall be provided in writing to the county clerk at least 10 days prior to implementing the change. 3. At least 24 hours prior to a regular or special meeting, an agenda shall be posted which shall include the date, time, and place of the meeting and the business to be undertaken at the meeting. 4. Notice of the time, date, and place of a special meeting shall be provided to the county clerk in person, in writing, or by telephone at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. 5. Emergency meetings may be held without the required public notice if it is reasonably believed that delay would increase the likelihood of personal injury, property damage, or immediate financial loss to the district. The person calling an emergency meeting, shall give as much advance notice as is possible in person or by telephone. 6. Any person, newspaper, wire service, radio station, and/or television station may file a written notice of meetings of the board of education. Such requests must be renewed annually. Persons or entities requesting written notification will not be charged a notification fee. Reference: 70 O.S. ~ Adopted: December 11, 2001 Revised: May 18, 2010 (Replaces policies BDA, BDB, BDDA)

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28 BDDB BDDB AGENDA FORMAT BDDB At all Regular Meetings of the Board of Education, the business shall be conducted in the following order unless the rules are suspended by the unanimous consent of the members of the Board: 1. Call to Order 2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance 3 Recognition of Staff Members and Students 4. Superintendent s Report 5. Public To Be Heard 6. Standing and Financial Resolutions 6.a Approval of Minutes 6.b Schedule of Payments: Checks, Expenditures, Encumbrances 6.c Investment of Funds 6.d Treasurer's Report 6.e Purchase Orders in excess of $3,500 6.f Federal, State or Local Grant Applications and/or Budget Revisions 6.g Activity Fund Transfers 7. Reports/Comments from Members of the Board of Education 8. New Business a.1 Personnel a.2 Other New Business 9. Adjournment Revised: March 12, 2002

29 BDDC AGENDA PREPARATION AND DISSEMINATION BDDC It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent of Schools to construct the agenda for all regular and special meetings and to place thereon any request of any individual board member. The Superintendent of Schools shall consult with those people who, in his judgment, should contribute information which shall provide the Board of Education with full and complete information on which they can make valid decisions. The agenda for Regular Meetings of the Board of Education is to be delivered to Board of Education members and is to be available in the Education Center three (3) days preceding the regular meeting of the Board of Education. The agenda and other materials related to Special Meetings shall be delivered to Board of Education members at least 24 hours before such meeting. Said notice shall indicate the purpose of such special meeting. Approved: August 2, 1982

30 BDDD QUORUM BDDD At any regular or special meeting of the Board of Education a majority (at least three) of the members present shall constitute a quorum. Exception If, in the interest of student and/or staff health and safety, an "emergency" must be declared to bypass the public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974, a quorum constitutes two-thirds (or four) of the members of the Board of Education. (1986 School Laws of Oklahoma, Section 566) Revised: September, 1986

31 BDDE RULES OF ORDER BDDE Conduct Parliamentary Procedure During all meetings conducted by or under the auspices of the Board of Education of Muskogee District I-20, Robert's Revised Rules of Order shall be the official guide of the Board of Education on all points of parliamentary procedure. Approved: August 2, 1982

32 BDDF VOTING METHOD BDDF During all meetings of the Board of Education, the voting procedure shall be: 1. All resolutions after being read orally shall be considered to be legally before the Board of Education for formal action. 2. It shall be the duty of every member of the Board of Education, including the President, to vote on all matters submitted for action. 3. Members shall vote individually, either by raising their hands or making a voice vote, and the votes of the members shall be individually recorded. Each member and officer shall have one vote. 4. All motions shall be carried by a majority of the members present and voting, provided a quorum is present. A majority shall mean "more than half" of the votes cast. Blanks or abstentions shall not be counted.* 5. The following table reflects voting results*: Favoring Opposing Abstaining Status of Action Motion passes " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Motion fails " " " No quorum " " " *Exception: On items declared an "Emergency" for the health or safety of students or staff, and in an amount that exceeds the limitation of the Public Competitive Bidding Act, four (4) YES votes are required for passage, and, a roll call vote is to be taken. Revised: March 10, 1992

33 BDDG MINUTES BDDG The Authorized Minutes Clerk of the Board of Education shall keep, or cause to be kept by a competent stenographer, complete records of the action of the Board of Education meetings. The minutes of the Board of Education shall be kept in an official minute book and shall be a complete record of such minutes including resolutions and motions in full. Papers not a part of formal motion may be omitted if they are referred to and identified by some method. Copies of the minutes of a meeting shall be sent to the members of the Board of Education before the meeting at which they are to be approved. Corrections in the minutes may be made at the meeting at which they are to be approved. Permanent minutes shall be signed by the elected Clerk of the Board of Education upon approval. Minutes Clerk Pursuant to H.B. #1935 (1988), the Board of Education shall appoint an official Minutes Clerk to properly record and distribute the minutes of each meeting. Revised: September, 1988

34 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN BOARD MEETINGS BDDH At the commencement of each regular meeting of the Board, a period of fifteen (15) minutes shall be set aside to enable the public to address the Board relative only to action items set on the Board Agenda. The following guidelines shall apply to the public participation segment of the Board meeting and shall be enforced: 1) Anyone desiring to address the Board must register with the Clerk not less than fifteen (15) minutes before the meeting is called to order and shall provide, in writing, the following information: (a) name and address (b) any organization for which they are appearing or with whom they are affiliated (c) the agenda item which they wish to address (3) and the action or relief, if any, they are requesting from the Board; 2) No more than five (5) minutes will be allowed for any one issue nor more than two (2) minutes per person. The time allowed for any one issue will be divided among the people who sign up to speak on such issue. If an excessive number of speakers have registered, the President shall determine the number, order and time allowed for those desiring to address the Board. 3) Complaints regarding teachers, administrative personnel or Board members must first be presented to the Superintendent in accordance with the administrative procedures regarding such complaints. The Board will not allow these speakers to discuss a student by name. Each person who addresses the Board shall not make personal, impertinent, slanderous or profane remarks to any member of the Board about administrative staff, teachers, or the general public. Any person who makes such remarks or who utters loud, threatening, personal or abusive language, or engages in any other disorderly conduct which disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of any Board meeting shall, at the discretion of the President, or a majority of the Board, be called out of order. 4) As the purpose of this section is to hear the comments, concerns and opinions of the patrons, Board members and administrative staff shall not respond to questions from the public. All patron requests for information regarding the district should be made to the district's administrative offices rather than during Board meetings. The Board may, however, ask any questions they deem appropriate and may refer any questions they have to the Superintendent for comment or later report to the Board. 5) Matters not on the agenda are not proper subjects for discussion during this segment of the meeting; Revised: March 8, 1994

35 BDDH (page 2 of 2) 6) The President of the Board shall recognize speakers who have registered to speak, maintain proper order and decorum, and set and control individual time limits for speakers; 7) All persons addressing the Board shall conduct themselves in an appropriate manner and shall not be permitted to become disorderly or disruptive. The Board may terminate the time for discussion of any person who fails to abide by these rules. The Board, in its sole discretion, may dispense with this segment of the meeting when it deems necessary or appropriate and proceed directly to the official business of the Board without public participation. Members of the public shall not be recognized or allowed to be heard or participate at any other time during the meeting or while the Board is conducting its official business. As a general rule, there will be no public participation at special or emergency meetings of the Board. Matters Not On The Board Agenda Any person wishing to address the Board at a regular meeting on a matter not appearing as an action item on the Board agenda must notify the Superintendent, in writing, at least five (5) days prior to the meeting of the Board. The notice of request to address the Board must state (a) name and address of the individual wishing to speak (b) whether or not he/she represents any organization (c) a synopsis of the comments he/she wishes to present and (d) the action or relief, if any, requested. The Superintendent shall provide a copy of requests received to the President of the Board and Board members. The Superintendent, in consultation with the President, shall initially determine whether said matter can and/or should be placed on the agenda of the ensuing or subsequent Board meeting. If two or more Board members request the matter be placed on the agenda, the Superintendent shall include said matter on the agenda for the ensuing meeting, unless there is insufficient time, in which event the matter shall be placed on the agenda for the next subsequent regular meeting of the Board. If said matter is not placed on the Board agenda, said matter shall be deemed to have been accepted by the Board as a written comment or request and referred, without comment by the Board, to the Superintendent for whatever action, if any, is appropriate. Any matter placed on the agenda pursuant to this section shall thereafter be subject to the same limitation and conditions as stated within the policy on public participation regarding agenda action items as hereinabove stated. Revised March 8, 1994