Do we have to take minutes at a board retreat and if so do we have to have them approved at the board meeting?

Oregon statutes recognize three kinds of meetings: regular, special and emergency meetings. A regular meeting is one on the calendar adopted in July at the annual organization meeting of the school board. An emergency meeting is one that can't wait for 24 hours to post. A special meeting is any other meeting scheduled during the year.

 

A board 'retreat' is either a regular, or more commonly a special meeting. You may have a policy that defines a retreat, (sometimes called a work session) as a meeting where the board will discuss topics but take no action. These are still regular or special meetings for the purpose of the public meetings law.

 

For any type of meeting listed above, the board must post the meeting with a list of principal subjects expected to be discussed, notify the press and allow the public to attend and observe the meeting. Meetings must be held within district boundaries in an ADA accessible location.  Minutes should be kept and approved in the same fashion as the other meetings held by the board.