Resources

Ask Betsy - Frequently Asked Questions

Betsy Miller-Jones answers some common (and not so common) questions about board governance, board members' roles and responsibilities, good practices, running board meetings and board conflict. Don't see the answer to your question? Ask Betsy!

Legal Disclaimer: The information contained on this site should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice regarding your particular situation, please seek the advice of OSBA’s legal services or independent counsel.

The most recent questions are listed below.

Is the board required to approve all extra-duty contracts? - 1/20/12

If an individual board member wants information from the district about a particular topic, how do they go about requesting and receiving the information? - 1/17/12

Is it sufficient to list the name of the board member who made a motion, seconded the motion and then state the outcome, passed or failed? Do the actual votes of the board members have to be listed by name? - 1/06/12

When the board receives general correspondence containing confidential student information how do we file and maintain these records? - 12/09/11

Do executive session minutes need to be reviewed, voted on and approved by the board? How should this be done? - 10/26/11

How should the board enter into, and come out of executive session during a meeting, and how should the minutes record this action? - 10/14/11

Sometimes during a meeting our board talks on and on without anyone making a motion. Is it appropriate for the chair to ask the board if there is a motion? - 10/07/11

Can a charter school employee serve as an elected board member of the sponsoring district school board? - 10/03/11

Who can attend executive session meetings? Can a board member invite anyone he or she wishes? - 9/27/11

One of the board members has asked to review the audio recording of one of our recent executive session meetings which he attended. Is it OK for him to do this? Who can review executive session recordings and minutes? - 9/16/11

Our district received a request for contact information for each of our board members. What information do we have to release? Should we first ask the requestor why they want the information? - 9/12/11

Our district received a request for contact information for each of our board members. What information do we have to release? Should we first ask the requestor why they want the information? - 9/09/11

One of our board members requested the board secretary remove a statement he made at the previous meeting from the draft minutes that are going out to the full board to be approved at our next meeting. Should the statement be removed completely or shown but barred out? How can this best be handled? - 9/02/11

When and how can board members use email to communicate with each other? Can they discuss and gain consensus on an item by email? - 8/30/11

What is the difference between regular, executive session, special and work session meetings? - 8/22/11