Agenda Content
Board of Trustees meeting agendas shall state the meeting time and place and shall briefly describe each business item to be transacted or discussed, including items to be discussed in closed session. (Government Code 54954.2)
(cf. 9320 - Meetings and Notices)
(cf. 9321- Closed Session Purposes and Agendas)
The agenda shall provide members of the public the opportunity to address the Board on any agenda item before or during the Board's consideration of the item. The agenda shall also provide members of the public an opportunity to testify at regular meetings on matters which are not on the agenda but which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board. (Education Code 35145.5; Government Code 54954.3)
(cf. 9323- Meeting Conduct)
Each meeting agenda shall list the address designated by the Superintendent or designee for public inspection of agenda documents that have been distributed to the Board less than 72 hours before the meeting. (Government Code 54957.5)
The agenda shall specify that an individual who requires disability-related accommodations or modifications, including auxiliary aids and services, in order to participate in the Board meeting should contact the Superintendent or designee. (Government Code 54954.2)
Agenda Preparation
The Board president and the Superintendent, as secretary to the Board, shall work together to develop the agenda for each regular and special meeting. Each agenda shall reflect the district's vision and goals and the Board's focus on student learning.
(cf. 0000- Vision)
(cf. 0200- Goals for the School District)
(cf. 9121 -President)
(cf. 9122- Secretary)
A Board member or member of the public may request that a matter within the jurisdiction of the Board be placed on the agenda of a regular meeting. The request shall be in writing and be submitted to the Superintendent or designee with supporting documents and information, if any, at least 10 days before the scheduled meeting date. Items submitted less than 10 days before the scheduled meeting date may be postponed to a later meeting in order to allow sufficient time for consideration and research of the issue.
The Board president and Superintendent shall decide whether a request is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board. Items not within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board may not be placed on the agenda. In addition, the Board president and Superintendent shall determine if the item is merely a request for information or whether the issue is covered by an existing policy or administrative regulation before placing the item on the agenda.
The Board president and Superintendent shall decide whether an agenda item is appropriate for discussion in open or closed session, and whether the item should be an action item subject to Board vote, an information item that does not require immediate action, or a consent item that is routine in nature and for which no discussion is anticipated.
Any Board action that involves borrowing $100,000 or more shall be discussed, considered, and deliberated upon as a separate item of business on the meeting agenda. (Government Code 53635.7)
(cf. 9323.2 - Actions by the Board)
All public communications with the Board are subject to requirements of relevant Board policies and administrative regulations.
(cf. 1312.1- Complaints Concerning District Employees)
(cf. 1312.2- Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials)
(cf. 1312.3- Uniform Complaint Procedures)
(cf. 3320- Claims and Actions Against the District)
(cf. 5144.1- Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)
Consent Items
In order to promote efficient meetings, the Board may act upon more than one item by a single vote through the use of a consent agenda. Consent items shall be items of a routine nature or items for which no Board discussion is anticipated and for which the Superintendent recommends approval.
In accordance with law, the public has a right to comment on any consent item. At the request of any member of the Board, any item on the consent agenda shall be removed and given individual consideration for action as a regular agenda item.
Agenda Dissemination to Board Members
At least three days before each regular meeting, a copy of the agenda and agenda packet shall be forwarded to each Board member, including the Superintendent or designee's report; minutes to be approved; copies of communications; reports from committees, staff, citizens, and others; and other available documents pertinent to the meeting.
When special meetings are called, the Superintendent or designee shall make every effort to distribute the agenda and supporting materials to Board members as soon as possible before the meeting.
Board members shall review agenda materials before each meeting. Individual members may confer directly with the Superintendent or designee to request additional information on agenda items.
Agenda Dissemination to Members of the Public
The Superintendent or designee shall mail a copy of the agenda or a copy of all the documents constituting the agenda packet to any person who requests the items. The materials shall be mailed at the time the agenda is posted or upon distribution of the agenda to a majority of the Board, whichever occurs first. (Government Code 54954.1)
If a document is distributed to the Board less than 72 hours prior to a meeting, the Superintendent or designee shall make the document available for public inspection at the time the document is distributed to a majority of the Board provided that the document is a public record under the Public Records Act and relates to an agenda item for an open session of a regular Board meeting. The Superintendent or designee may also post the document on the district's web site in a position and manner that makes it clear that the document relates to an agenda item for an upcoming meeting. (Government Code 54957.5)
(cf. 1113- District and School Web Sites)
(cf. 1340- Access to District Records)
Any documents prepared by the district or the Board and distributed during a public meeting shall be made available for public inspection at the meeting. Any documents prepared by another person shall be made available for public inspection after the meeting. These requirements shall not apply to a document that is exempt from public disclosure under the Public Records Act. (Government Code 54957.5)
Upon request, the Superintendent or designee shall make the agenda, agenda packet, and/or any writings distributed at the meeting available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Government Code 54954.1)
Any request for mailed copies of agendas or agenda packets shall be in writing and shall be valid for the calendar year in which it is filed. Written requests must be renewed following January 1of each year. (Government Code 54954.1)
Persons requesting mailing of the agenda or agenda packet shall pay an annual fee, as determined by the Superintendent or designee, not to exceed the cost of providing the service.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
35144 Special meetings
35145 Public meetings
35145.5 Right of public to place matters on agenda
GOVERNMENT CODE
53635.7 Separate item of business
54954.1 Mailed agenda of meeting
54954.2 Agenda posting requirements; board actions
54954.3 Opportunity for public to address legislative body
54954.5 Closed session item descriptions
54956.5 Emergency meetings
54957.5 Public records
54960.2 Challenging board actions; cease and desist
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 42
12101-12213 Americans with Disabilities Act
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 28
35.160 Effective communications
36.303 Auxiliary aids and services
COURT DECISIONS
Mooney v. Garcia, (2012) 207 Cal.App.4th 229
Caldwell v. Roseville Joint Union High School District, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 66318
Management Resources:
CSBA PUBLICATIONS
Call to Order: A Blueprint for Great Board Meetings, 2010
The Brown Act: School Boards and Open Meeting Laws, rev. 2009
ATTORNEY GENERAL PUBLICATIONS
The Brown Act: Open Meetings for Legislative Bodies, rev. 2003
WEB SITES
CSBA, Agenda Online: http://www.csba.org
California Attorney General's Office: http://www.oag.ca.gov
Bylaw LOS OLIVOS SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: October 13, 2003 Los Olivos, California
revised: June 11, 2012