FILE:  BCBG

Cf:  BCAD

VOTING METHOD AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

A vote of a simple majority of members present and voting shall be necessary for the passage of any motion, except in such instances as the law, other policies of the Lafayette Parish School Board, or Robert’s Rules may require a larger vote.  Every member present, including the president, shall be entitled to one vote.

All votes shall be cast by voice or by using the electronic school board software; a roll call vote by voice may be requested by any member and/or ordered by the president, with the vote of each member recorded in the minutes.  On voice votes, the name of a member voting “nay” shall be recorded in the minutes upon his/her request.

In an instance when a member is compelled to “recuse” himself from voting because of a personal interest in the proposition or for some other valid reason, he shall state that he intends to “recuse” himself from voting and give reasons why he wishes to do so.  In such instances, no vote shall be counted for him/her.

A member of the School Board may abstain from voting on an issue before the School Board, whereby his/her vote shall be counted neither for nor against the issue voted upon.  In such cases, the School Board member shall state that he/she abstains from voting and the minutes shall reflect the member's abstention.

There shall be no representation by proxy by any member at any meeting of the School Board, including committee meetings.  School Board members present at School Board meetings and all committee members present at committee meetings shall be authorized to speak on issues, offer and second motions, and vote.

School Board members may attend School Board meetings via video conferencing or other technological means.  However, the member must be physically present at the meeting to vote.

If the Governor has declared a state of emergency or disaster involving a geographic area within the jurisdiction of the School Board and the nature of the emergency or disaster would cause a meeting of the School Board conducted pursuant to the other provisions of Louisiana Open Meetings Law and School Board policy to be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the public, then the School Board may conduct and its members may attend and participate in a meeting via electronic means provided that all of the notice and participation provisions of state law and School Board policy BCAD, Participation in School Board Meetings Via Electronic Means, are met and minutes are recorded.

Reconsideration of action shall be according to Robert's Rules of Order, with the exception that a matter voted on by the School Board shall not be brought up for reconsideration more than once during the calendar year except by a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the School Board.

No action shall be taken by the School Board except as described above at a properly called and noticed regular or special meeting.

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 18:602, 42:14, 42:17.1, 42:1120

Board minutes, 1-5-11, 9-3-14, 7-1-15, 2-3-21

Lafayette Parish School Board