Agenda Item
a. Board Governance & Effective Meetings
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Zenda Bowie, Consultant, Georgia School Board Association (GSBA)
1
What Message Does Your School
Board Meeting Send?
April 30, 2025
Georgia School Boards Association
Whole Board Governance Team Training
DeKalb County
Zenda Bowie, GSBA Consultant
www.gsba.com
2
• Parliamentary rules exist to protect the rights of all
members and provides for expeditious transaction
of business with professionalism and order.
• There are parliamentary authorities other than
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised that are
appropriate. Board policy identifies the one
selected for use.
• Your parliamentary authority of choice is to be
consulted except when federal or state law or
board policy address the topic.
www.gsba.com
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY 3
www.gsba.com
4
• Use a tip sheet
• Strive for accuracy
• Take advantage of workshops as
often as possible
• All members of the governance
team should cursory knowledge of
parliamentary law
www.gsba.com
THE SCHOOL 5
BOARD MEETING
• Meeting focus is student achievement.
• School board meeting is a meeting OF the
school board IN public.
• Governance team members team respect
all opinions
• Body language and verbal comments are
equally important.
• Tantamount to meeting success is
preparation.
www.gsba.com
EVERY MEMBER OF THE
6
TEAM HAS A ROLE
• Everyone participates in discussion
• Ask questions (in advance) seeking
information; not to put anyone on the spot
• Limit repetitious comments
• Side bar conversations are taboo
• Understand roles of all governance team
members.
www.gsba.com
EFFECTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
7
• Support the governance team
• Promote understanding through active listening
• Comply with Board operating procedures and
Statewide Model Code of Ethics
• Collaborate to resolve conflict
www.gsba.com
ROLE OF BOARD 8
CHAIR
• Works with the Superintendent to review
draft agenda
• Facilitates the meeting by recognizing
speakers in turn
• Processes all motions
www.gsba.com
THE BOARD 9
CHAIR
• Reminds members if comments are out
of order.
• Receives questions and comments and
passes on to presenters.
• Requests recess when necessary.
• Works to keep meeting on track while
maintaining decorum.
www.gsba.com
ROLE OF THE 10
SUPERINTENDENT
• Supports the Board by creating and
distributing meeting agenda and material
timely.
• Follows legal mandates for posting agenda
and providing public access.
• Works with District staff to address
questions appropriately.
• Presents administrative recommendations
during board meeting.
www.gsba.com
11
THE AGENDA
• Board Norms include the process for getting
items on the agenda
• Board Chair and Superintendent review the draft
agenda
• Agenda is amended within confines of the law
www.gsba.com
12
PROCESSING MOTIONS
• Board member makes a motion.
• Another Board member seconds the motion (unless the motion comes from a school
board committee).
• Board Chair states the motion, if necessary.
• Board Chair calls for debate, allowing other governance team members to speak first.
www.gsba.com
AMENDING THE MOTION 13
A motion to amend modifies a main
motion by:
• deleting a word or phrase; or by
adding a word or phrase.
• There can be primary and
secondary amendments only.
www.gsba.com
TAKING THE VOTE 14
• Board Chair calls for “yes” votes;
• Board Chair asks for “no” votes;
• Chairman asks for abstentions
only if it’s obvious that a member
has not voted;
• Board Chair announces outcome of
the vote and any resulting action.
www.gsba.com
15
LET’S TALK ABOUT EXECUTIVE SESSION!
www.gsba.com
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR
16
MEETINGS
• Ask questions for clarification
• Don’t assume the motives of other
members of the governance team
• Adhere to the topic being considered
• Let go of the need to be right
• Vote your conviction based upon the
discussion
• Support the Board’s decision
www.gsba.com
17
www.gsba.com
18
CLOSING TIDBITS
• Your Georgia School Boards Association stands ready to support you
with information and resources to assist in making your school board
experience productive.
• Contact GSBA with questions.
• Remember to continue your study of parliamentary procedure.
Zenda Bowie
GSBA Consultant
bowiezenda@gmail.com
www.gsba.com