Q.  As chairman of the board, if I make a motion and want to participate in debate on the motion must I pass the gavel to the Vice-Chairman?

A.  WSSDA policies allow a board to function as a small committee with the chair fully participating. Therefore, the chair does not need to relinquish the chair to debate and may vote on all issues.

Q.  How is a motion made to Table an agenda item?

A.  The motion to Table is used to interrupt business because of a conflicting or emergent matter that needs attention. Instead of using the motion to Table use the motion to Postpone Definitely. This sets a time for later consideration of the matter either in the same meeting or the next meeting. It must be seconded, is debatable, amendable as to time, and requires a majority vote.

Q.  How and when can a member bring an item back after being tabled?

A.  The motion to Take From the Table may occur after the interrupting event or any other item of business has been completed. The motion is, “I move to take the question of ________ from the table.”  It takes a majority vote without debate. If not moved by the end of the next meeting the motion dies and must be re-introduced as a new motion.

Q.  If a quorum is present, must all three vote on an item for it to be approved?

A.  A quorum for school board members is defined as a majority of the board. For five member boards the quorum is three.  If only three people are in attendance at the board member, a majority of those present can approve agenda items.  The law requires a majority vote of all members on the appointment of a new superintendent.

Q.  How and when can our board reconsider a past action?

A.  A board member who did not vote on the losing side may make the motion to Reconsider. The motion or notice must be made immediately, that is before the close of the current meeting. This motion is debatable and requires a majority vote to pass. If notice is given, no action can be taken under the motion until it has been reconsidered at the current or next meeting. In a small committee, the motion requires a two-third vote at the next meeting unless all members are present who previously voted on the question or notice given prior to the meeting.  If it is too late to reconsider the question the motions to Rescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted may be used.

Q.  How and when can our board rescind a past action?

A.  Rescind is similar to the motion to Reconsider, but does not occur at the same meeting where the original vote occurred. This motion annuls prior action of the board. The motion requires a two-thirds vote unless previous notice was given.

Q.  A board member wants to add or delete an item from the board agenda, what is the proper process?

A.  Most boards provide an opportunity for approval of the agenda. At that time a member may make a motion to add or delete an item from the agenda. The agenda would then be approved as amended by a majority vote or unanimous consent.

Q.  Should the board vote to approve committee reports?

A.  The board does not need to approve committee reports. However, it is important to distinguish between a committee report and a committee recommendation. A report is informational only. If action is to be taken a board member should move to adopt the committee recommendation

Q.  What happens when a motion is made to close debate?

A.  Usually the board chairman will wait for debate to end and then ask for the vote. When a motion is made to close debate (Previous Question), it must be seconded and approved by a two-thirds vote without debate. The motion applies only to the immediate pending question unless the mover identifies other criteria. This motion is generally discouraged in small committees.

Q.  Is an abstention counted as a negative vote?

A.  Abstentions should not be taken except to provide evidence of a quorum present. The affect of an abstention is that of going along with the prevailing decision.

Q.  Can a board member appeal the decision of the chair?

A.  Usually this occurs when the chair has made a ruling on a point of order.  A member who wishes to Appeal the Decision of the Chair would move “to appeal from the decision of the chair.” The chair would respond and give their reasons; each member should be given an opportunity to speak once. Then the chair should present the motion, “Should the decision of the chair be sustained?” A tie vote sustains the decision of the chair.