Policy

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

Code BE Issued 7/09/01

Purpose: To establish the basic structure for the conduct of Board meetings.

All Board meetings will be conducted in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. All Board meetings, except for periods in which the board is in executive sessions, are open to the public.

Annual meeting

The Board holds its annual organizational meeting at the first regularly scheduled Board meeting in November. The Board swears in new members, elects officers and swears in those officers at the annual meeting.

Regular board meetings

The Board holds its regular meeting of the Board at the Board room of the district administrative offices or in selected schools on the third Monday of each month. The regularly scheduled time will be 7:00 p.m. If the regularly scheduled Board meeting in December is during the mid-winter break, the meeting date will be scheduled for the second Monday in December. If a regular meeting date falls on a scheduled holiday, the meeting date will be on the closest regular workday following the holiday.

In unusual circumstances, the Board may change the time and place of the regular meeting, or any regular meeting, upon a majority vote of the Board. The chairman, after consultation with the superintendent, may assign a change in the hour or place of any particular meeting if there are no objections from the other Board members.

Work sessions

From time to time the Board may meet in work sessions. The purpose of these sessions will be for the Board to have opportunities for planning and discussion without formal action. Topics for discussion will be announced publicly, and sessions will be conducted in accordance with state law.

Special meetings

The chairman of the Board or a majority of members of the Board may call a special meeting of the full Board to enable the Board to concentrate, and take action, on a single problem or set of problems and to enable the Board to take emergency action between regular Board meetings. The superintendent should give at least 24 hours notice to all members of the Board and the public except when emergency conditions make such notice impossible. The Board will not transact any business other than that which is stated in the notice.

Public hearings

The Board may conduct public hearings from time to time in order for the public to express their views regarding a specific issue. The Board will conduct such meetings in an orderly manner in accordance with Board policy and regulation.

Adopted 10/17/88; Revised 6/20/94

Legal references:

A. S.C. Code, 1976, as amended:

1. Sections 30-4-10 through 30-4-110 - South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.

2. Section 59-1-340 - Meetings of boards of trustees and boards of education.

3. Section 59-19-90(4) - Calling meetings of electors for consultations.

4. Section 59-19-110 - Board rule-making power includes right to conduct any hearing.