Agenda Item
c. B~Policy Discussion
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Whitney McGinniss, Committee Chair
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Committee Vice Chair
Board Policy Manual
DeKalb County School District
Board Policy BC: Board Meetings Status: DRAFT -
1st Reading
Original Adopted Date: 02/15/2012 | Last Revised Date: Pending | Last Reviewed Date:
08/20/2024
Clean Version
All meetings under this policy will be in accordance with the open meeting requirements of the
State of Georgia.
BOARD MEETINGS
I. Procedures for Board Meetings
A. Board Meeting Notification
All regular board meeting notices will be available to the general public, and posted
to the board website, as well as posted in the lobby of the board auditorium located
at 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, at least one week before
the meeting.
Written notice will be given at least 24 hours in advance of all board and committee
meetings to include the time, place, and date of such meeting (1) to all Board of
Education members, (2) to the district's legal organ, (3) by posting written notice in
the lobby of the board auditorium located at 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard,
Stone Mountain, GA, (4) by posting on the board website, and (5) to media
representatives who have made a written request to receive such notices.
A meeting may be held , with less than 24-hours’ notice under special or emergency
circumstances. The meeting Notice will contain a list of subjects to be considered at
the meeting. Written Notice will be given (1) to the legal organ, and (2) to any other
media representative who has made a written request to receive such notices within
the previous calendar year. The reason for holding the meeting within 24 hours and
the nature of the notice will be recorded in the minutes.
B. Board Meeting Agendas
The Chair and Superintendent will develop the agenda for Board meetings. The
agenda will include all matters expected to come before the board or
committee. The agenda will be available upon request and will be posted at the
meeting site, as soon as possible during the two-week period immediately prior to
the meeting. If it becomes necessary to do so, the Board may consider and act on
items not included on the agenda.
Board members will be provided with the agenda at least 24 hours in advance of the
meeting for the purpose of asking for 1) items to be removed from the agenda, 2)
items to be added to the agenda, and 3) additional information on the agenda item.
The board has the option to use a consent agenda. The board will depart from the
agenda only when it becomes necessary to do so as determined by the majority of
the members present.
C. Rules of Order
Board meetings will be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order Revised to
the extent in conformance with state law. Board Policies will take precedence when
in conflict with Robert’s Rules of Order Revised.
The General Counsel will act as parliamentarian.
D. Board Meeting Quorum
E. Four members of the Board will constitute a quorum at any meeting. If a quorum is
not present, the meeting will be adjourned and reconvened by the chair at a time
when a quorum is present.
F. Electronic Participation of Board Members
So long as a quorum is present in person, any members may participate in board and
committee meetings by teleconference if necessary due to reasons of health or
absent from the jurisdiction. The board chair may approve if a board member
provides sufficient reason for attending by teleconference in accordance with Open
Meetings Act. Absent emergency conditions or the written opinion of a physician or
other health professional that reasons of health prevent a member’s physical
presence, no members will participate by teleconference more than twice in one
calendar year. Such participating member will be included in votes recorded during
the meeting.
There will not be a majority of the Board members participating in any board or
committee meeting by electronic communication. Any provisions under state law
which contradict the foregoing will be controlling.
G. Voting Method
All members present at a meeting, whether in person or by teleconference, will be
eligible to vote. There will be no representation by proxy of any board member at
any meeting.
II. Types of Board Meetings
A. Board Business Meetings
There will be a business meeting of the board each month at a time and date
determined annually in January by the board and announced by advertisement in
two consecutive issues of the district's official legal organ. The board may modify
this schedule as allowed by law.
The first meeting held in January of each year will include any required organizational
matters including, but not limited to, the election of a chair and vice-chair,
affirmation of compliance with board policies about BH and BHA and other items as
required by law or policy.
B. Board Work Sessions
The Board will hold a Work Session on the same day as the Business Meeting, and at
other times as needed.
These meetings will be designed to prepare the consent agenda for the Business
Meeting, to address other policy and legislative matters and for in-depth
presentations on school system operations. Work Sessions are not designed for
formal vote to be taken, but board action is allowed for emergency or time-sensitive
item.
C. Community Meetings
Community meetings providing for public comments will be conducted in accordance
with Policy BCBI. Such meetings will be in accordance with the open meeting
requirements of the State of Georgia.
D. Special Board Meetings
Special meetings may be called for any purpose by the chair, the superintendent, or
through the chair at the request of a majority of the board.
A. Executive Sessions
Executive session means a portion of a meeting lawfully closed to the public. In
compliance with the open meeting requirements of the State of Georgia, no closed
meetings of the board or any committee of the board will be devoted to the
consideration, discussion or presentation of matters required by law to be presented,
considered or discussed in open meetings. In the event that one or more persons in
an executive session initiates a discussion that is not authorized by law, the chair or
presiding member will immediately rule the discussion out of order and all present
will cease the questioned conversation. If one or more persons continue or attempt
to continue the discussion after being ruled out of order, the chair will immediately
adjourn the executive session. Reasons for closing the meeting include:
cybersecurity plans, procedures, contracts, student discipline appeals, real estate
acquisitions, individual personnel matters, pending or potential Litigations, or an
other matters that are required or permitted by law to be addressed in closed
meetings.
B. Board Retreats
At least once each year, the board and the Superintendent will conduct a retreat to:
I. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the District;
II. Consider any compelling problems or emerging issues;
III. Study and explore trends, opportunities, and anticipated challenges;
IV. Develop and/or review goals;
V. Reflect on its educational and leadership philosophy and performance; and
VI. Conduct a self-assessment of the board’s activities and operations.
G. Public Hearings
The board will provide periodic public forums to receive input from citizens on policy
issues, the educational program, and school administration.
Policy Reference Disclaimer:
These references are not intended to be part of the policy itself, nor do they indicate the basis or authority
for the board to enact this policy. Instead, they are provided as additional resources for those interested in the
subject matter of the policy.
Note: To access the policy references, CLICK HERE: State of Georgia Terms and Conditions and close the
LexisNexis tab, which will return you to the policy. Click on the links below to be taken to each specific
code. You should only have to do this one time per session.
State Description
O.C.G.A. 20-02-0058 Regular monthly meeting of local boards; adjournment;
temporary presiding officer; notice of date; template for
financial review; open meetings
O.C.G.A. 50-14-0001 Open Meetings Act; notice; minutes; telecommunication
conferences
O.C.G.A. 50-14-0002 Open Meetings Act: Certain privileges not repealed
O.C.G.A. 50-14-0003 Excluded proceedings
O.C.G.A. 50-14-0004 Closed meeting procedures
O.C.G.A. 50-14-0005 Jurisdiction to enforce Open Meetings Act
O.C.G.A. 50-14-0006 Penalty for violation of Open Meetings Act; defense