9325.43 - Attendance at Meetings via Electronic Communications
Policy 9325.43
Bylaws of the Board
Attendance at Meetings via Electronic Communications
Recognizing the inherent responsibility and statutory duties of Board members, the Board strongly encourages members to attend and participate at all meetings of the Board. Though great importance is given to the physical presence of Board members at meetings, the attendance and participation of members electronically is authorized under limited conditions.
The Boards recognizes that factors such as illness, travel, schedule conflicts and weather conditions can make impossible the physical presence of a Board member at a Board meeting, and that electronic communications can enable a Board member to participate in a meeting from a remote location.
A Board member shall be able to attend a Board meeting, and participate in Board deliberations and voting, through electronic communications, but only under extraordinary circumstances. The reason that such attendance is not reasonably practical shall be stated in the minutes of the meeting.
The Board authorizes the administration to provide the equipment required to implement this Board procedure.
Guidelines
A Board member who attends a meeting through electronic communications shall be considered present only if the member can hear everything said at the meeting and all those attending the meeting can hear everything said by that member. If the Board Chairperson determines either condition is not occurring, he/she shall terminate the Board member’s attendance through electronic communications.
A quorum of Board members shall be physically present at a Board meeting when a board member attends through electronic communications.
To attend a Board meeting through electronic communications, a Board member shall comply with the following conditions:
a. Submit such request to the Board Chairperson at least three (3) school days prior to the meeting.
b. Ensure that the remote location is quiet and free from background noise and interruptions.
c. Board members participating electronically may cast votes. However, if a Board member electronically joins the meeting after an item
of business has been opened, the remotely located member shall not participate, nor cast any vote, until the next item of business
is opened.
d. When a member attends a meeting electronically, all votes shall be by roll call vote. A member who is attending electronically must identify
him/her self by name and be recognized by the Chairperson before speaking.
b. Ensure that the remote location is quiet and free from background noise and interruptions.
c. Board members participating electronically may cast votes. However, if a Board member electronically joins the meeting after an item
of business has been opened, the remotely located member shall not participate, nor cast any vote, until the next item of business
is opened.
d. When a member attends a meeting electronically, all votes shall be by roll call vote. A member who is attending electronically must identify
him/her self by name and be recognized by the Chairperson before speaking.
(cf. 9321 – Time, Place, Notification for Meetings)
(cf. 9322 – Public and Executive Sessions)
(cf. 9325.1 – Quorum)
(cf. 9325.4 – Voting Method)
(cf.9326 – Minutes)
(cf. 9327 – Electronic Mail Communications)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1-225 Meetings of government agencies, as amended by June 11 Special Session, PA 08-3
Adopted: 6/5/12