Policy 8810 – Rules of Order

The School Board shall conduct all its meetings in accordance with newly revised Robert’s Rules of Order, unless otherwise provided below.

  1. The School Board president may vote on all matters coming before the School The School Board president has the right to introduce or second motions if another School Board member is given temporary control of the meeting.  Temporary control is assigned in the following order:  Vice President, Clerk, Treasurer, any other member.
  2. A motion to Limit Debate shall be decided by a majority vote.
  3. Each regular and special meeting of the School Board shall be considered a “session,” unless it is an adjourned meeting as defined by newly revised Robert’s Rules of Order.
  4. It shall be in order to Postpone Definitely a motion, event or report beyond the next session by a majority vote.
  5. A motion to rescind or amend something previously adopted at an earlier session requires a majority vote if prior notice is given outlining the proposed motion. Without this notice, a two‑thirds vote is required.  This notice may be given by mail or may be given orally at an open meeting or a closed meeting if applicable.  (Note:  In  any event, the provisions of the Open Meeting Law and School Board Policy apply).  The School Board President shall require a majority written request or vote for placement on an agenda if the member did not vote on the prevailing side of the motion to be rescinded or amended.  The provisions and requirements of this section shall expire ninety (90) days from the date of the last School Board action and, therefore, agenda requests and motions may be offered on the issue as if new.
  6. A motion to rescind or amend something previously adopted instead of reconsidering action taken at the same session shall require a two‑thirds vote. If a motion to reconsider fails, it shall not be in order to move to rescind or amend something previously adopted at that same session.
  7. A motion may be unilaterally withdrawn by the maker prior to any vote being cast. Similarly, a motion may be modified without the permission of the second; however, the second may withdraw.
  8. A member, while speaking on a motion, may not move the previous question.
  9. Discussion is permitted when no motion is pending. To close discussion when no motion is pending, a member may request to proceed.  No second is required.  It is not debatable, it is not in order when another has the floor, and requires a majority vote if the request is objected to but no member immediately offers a motion.  After a request to proceed, the chair shall ask if there is an objection or a motion and, if hearing none, the School Board will proceed with the agenda.
  10. Except as adopted by a unanimous vote to suspend this Bylaw, the following motions shall not be in order:
    1. Create a Special Order
    2. Call for the Orders of the Day
    3. Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes
    4. Lay on the Table
    5. Take from the Table
  11. School Board members’ response to citizen comments shall be limited to three minutes.
  12. Time allowed for debate on motions during regular meetings shall be limited to one five minute discussion period followed by one three minute rebuttal period per person. Another three minute rebuttal time is allowed during special meetings. The use of another member’s time or more time is allowed at the discretion of the chair under the following provisions:
    1. another member must consent to waive his/her time;
    2. the ruling of the chair shall apply to all members;
    3. discretion to use another member’s time expires once a vote has occurred; and
    4. a member can use another member’s time only once per motion.

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS: None

AFFIRMED: June 8, 1993

REVISED:

  • March 26, 1996
  • July 8, 1997
  • July 10, 2001
  • May 22, 2007
  • February 24, 2015