9100-Organization Meeting of the Board

The officers of the Board of Education shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary.

The Board shall organize biennially at the first regular meeting in December following the town election. The meeting shall be called to order by the Town Clerk who will serve as temporary Chairperson and shall preside until a chairperson has been elected.

Election of all officers shall be by nomination from the floor and shall require a majority public vote of the members of the Board. A written ballot shall not be used.

A majority of the total membership of the Board shall be required to constitute election. If there are more than two nominees and on the first vote no nominee receives a majority vote of the full membership, the nominee receiving the lowest number of the votes shall be removed from the list of candidates before balloting again.

The new Chairperson of the Board will take office upon election and conduct the election of the Vice-Chairperson and Secretary.

Officers shall remain in office until new officers are elected at the next organizational meeting, unless such officers cease to be members of the Board of Education. If there is a vacancy among the officers during the course of the year, the Board membership shall act promptly to elect a new officer to fill the vacancy.

Upon motion duly made and seconded, an officer of the Board may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the total Board membership.

Chairperson

The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Newtown Board of Education and shall perform other duties as directed by law, State Department of Education regulations, and by this Board. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Chairperson shall:

1. Sign the instruments, acts, and orders necessary to carry out state requirements and the will of the Board.
2. Consult with the Superintendent in the planning of the Board's agendas.
3. Confer with the Superintendent on crucial matters which may occur between Board meetings.
4. Appoint Board committees, subject to Board approval.
5. Call special meetings of the Board as necessary.
6. Be public spokesperson for the Board at all times except as this responsibility is specifically delegated to others.
7. Be responsible for the orderly conduct of all Board meetings.
8. Assume such other duties as may be authorized by the Board.
9. Appoint a Clerk of the Board.
10. The Chairperson’s signature shall be an alternative signature on all legal documents requiring the signature of the Secretary.

As presiding officer at all meetings of the Board, the Chairperson shall:

1. Call the meeting to order at the appointed time.
2. Announce the business to come before the Board in its proper order.
3. Enforce the Board's policies relating to the order of business and the conduct of the meetings.
4. Recognize persons who desire to speak, and protect the speaker who has the floor from disturbance or interference.
5. Explain what the effect of a motion would be if it is not clear to every member.
6. Restrict discussion to the question when a motion is before the Board.
7. Answer all parliamentary inquiries, referring questions of legality to the Board attorney.
8. Put motions to a vote, stating definitely and clearly the vote and result thereof.

The Chairperson shall have the right, as other Board members have, to offer resolutions, discuss questions, and to vote.

The Vice-Chairperson

The Vice- Chairperson will:

1. Act in place of the Chairperson, when necessary, and preside at meetings when the Chairperson is temporarily absent. The Vice-Chairperson cannot fill vacancies required to be filled by the Chairperson and does not serve as an ex-officio member of committees.
2. Work with the Chairperson and Superintendent to become generally informed of Board business.
3. In the absence of the Chairperson, act as a resource to the Superintendent on decisions which may require further input between board meetings.
4. In case of illness, resignation, or death of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson, as deemed by the Board, becomes Chairperson until the Board membership acts promptly to elect a new officer to fill the vacancy.
5. The Vice-Chairperson's signature shall be an alternative signature on all legal documents requiring the signature of the Secretary.

Secretary

A member of the Newtown Board of Education shall be elected Secretary by the members of the Board and shall perform the duties assigned by law and the Board.

1. The Secretary shall be responsible for accurate records of the proceedings of the Board; and for the preservation of reports of committees and communications addressed to the Board, reports of the Chairperson of the Board and reports of the Superintendent. The Board shall authorize the employment of a person to assist in fulfilling the responsibilities for this position.
2. The Secretary shall cause written notices of regular Board meetings and suitable notices of special meetings to be sent to Board members through the office of the Superintendent.
3. The Secretary will write an annual report on the activities of the Board for the Town Annual Meeting Report.
4. The Secretary shall serve as Acting Chairperson when the Chairperson and Vice- Chairperson are not able to preside at meetings.

(cf. 9020- Public Statements)
(cf. 9325 – Meeting Conduct)
(cf. 9222 – Resignation/Removal from Office/Censure)

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-218 Officers. Meetings
Charter, Town of Newtown, Revised April 22, 2008
Section 2-70 Board of Education

Adopted: 4/10/12
Revised: 11/6/19