The effective board chair must be a planner, organizer, communicator, interpreter, confidant, liaison,
conscience, caretaker and troubleshooter.
The chair must have the ability to clarify generalizations,
articulate the board’s goals and directions, grasp the
importance of community engagement and communication and
understand the board’s role in the school community.
The chair is still a board
member
As an elected official, you are expected to
participate in board actions; as the board's leader, you do
not dominate the discussion or force an opinion on the board.
The chair may make motions and does not have
to leave the chair to participate in discussions. OSBA
recommends that the chair use this authority to make motions
sparingly.
The chair, like all board members, is
expected to vote on a motion, provided there is no conflict of
interest. Oregon’s Public Meetings Law requires that the
vote of each board member be recorded by name in the minutes.
Meetings must comply with the law
The board chair should understand and enforce
the rules for public meetings outlined in Oregon’s Public
Meetings Law and other Oregon statutes that apply to public
meetings of the board.
Give appropriate meeting notices.
Hold meetings within district boundaries.
Hold meetings in a location accessible to the public.
Conduct the board’s business at public
meetings.
Provide written minutes for board meetings;
make them available to the public. (Except executive session minutes,
which are not available for public review.)
