BMEA

File: BMEA (pdf)
Adopted:  March 11, 2014
Revised: June 8, 2021

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Electronic Participation in School Board Meetings

 

Board Members may attend and participate by electronic means in a regular or special Board meeting when circumstances prevent the Board Member from physically attending the meeting.  Such circumstances may be created by the Board Member's job, military service, personal circumstances, or another significant event that prevents the physical presence or makes the physical presence of one or more Board Members inadvisable. "Electronic means" shall be defined as attendance via telephone, video or audio conferencing, or other electronic device. Electronic means must allow the public to hear the comments made by the Board Member(s) participating by electronic means and for the Board Member(s) to hear the comments made by the public. All Board Members participating in the meeting will be included in the recording of the Board meeting.

In an emergency, the Board may meet by electronic means only. In such rare cases, the Board shall make all efforts to make Board meetings accessible to the public, at least electronically. 

A Board Member who seeks to attend and participate by electronic means in a Board meeting shall notify the Board President, Board Secretary, or Superintendent of the request to attend by electronic means at least three business days prior to the meeting or, if such advance notification is not possible, as soon as is reasonably possible.

If the Board convenes in executive session, the Board Member attending and participating by electronic means shall identify the Board Member’s location and affirm that no one else is present during the executive session portion of the meeting. 

The Board Member shall make all efforts to have reliable technology to support video and audio participation. Board Members participating by electronic means shall be expected to participate as if they were in person, including staying the entire meeting and being attentive and available to conduct business during the course of the meeting.

While Board Members are expected to be physically present for all Board meetings insofar as is possible, a Board Member may attend and participate by electronic means in a maximum of two Board meetings per calendar year, unless otherwise approved by the Board.  In accordance with state law, a vacancy shall be created if a Board Member fails to attend three consecutive regular Board meetings, unless the Board Member's absence is otherwise excused by the Board or the absences are due to a temporary mental or physical disability or illness.

A Board Member's failure to comply with this policy may result in the Board's refusal to allow the member to participate by electronic means in Board meetings.

 

LEGAL REFS.:   
C.R.S. § 22-31-129 (board vacancies)
C.R.S. § 22-32-108 (7)(a) (board may adopt policy allowing board members to attend and participate electronically in regular or special board meetings)
C.R.S. § 24-6-401(open meetings law)

CROSS REF.:
BM, School Board Meetings

 

End of File: BMEA