Book: B

Section: Board Governance and Operations

Title: CHAIR

Code: BDB

Status: Active

Adopted: February 6, 1984

Last Revised: October 22, 2013, August 2, 2022

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On the First Monday in December following the regular municipal election, or as soon thereafter as possible, the Board of Public Education shall elect one of its members as Chair for the ensuing year and until their successor is elected and qualified.

At the same meeting, or as soon as possible thereafter, the Board of Public Education shall elect one of its members to serve as the Vice-Chair for the ensuing term.

Role of the Board Chair

The Chair of the Board shall at a date and time to be mutually agreed upon by the Chair of the Board and the mayor, the Chair shall deliver an annual address on the “state of the public education system in Portland” to the City Council and the public as required in Article III, Section 2 of the Portland City Charter.

The Chair of the Board shall preside at Board meetings, shall perform all duties imposed by statutes, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law or action of the State Board of Education.

The Chair shall decide, at Board meetings, questions of order, and shall facilitate meetings to balance the need for Board Member and community input with the necessity of conducting business in an efficient and effective manner.

The Chair shall have the same rights as other members to offer resolutions, to make motions or second motions, to discuss questions, and to vote thereon.

The Chair shall appoint board members to all standing committees, shall appoint board and/or community members to special committees unless otherwise directed by the Board, and the Chair shall be an ex officio member of all such committees.

The Chair shall call special meetings of the Board as required.

The Chair shall have the authority to sign contracts and other documents that have been approved by action of the Board.

The Chair shall be the public spokesperson for the Board except as this responsibility is specifically delegated to others.

In the event that the Chair cannot fulfill their term of office, another member of the Board shall be elected by the Board to fill the unexpired term.

Role of the Vice-Chair

The vice chair will provide additional leadership on the Board and assist in communications with Board Members. The Vice-Chair will attend agenda setting meetings with the Chair and Superintendent.

 

If the Chair is to be absent from a meeting of the Board, they shall designate the

vice-chair shall chair the meeting. If the vice-chair is not able to perform that role, the Chair may appoint, in advance, a Chair pro tem for the meeting. If this has not been done, the meeting shall be called to order by the Superintendent and no business shall be transacted until a Chair pro tem has been elected by voice vote of those members present.

Cross Reference: BB – School Committee Legal Status Adopted: February 6, 1984

Revised: August 26, 1992; October 22, 2013, August 2, 2022

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