The seven member board, while composed of individuals,
acts officially only as a group. No member or group of members acts in
the name of the Board unless authorized by the Board. A majority of the
Board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. Individual
trustees, serving without pay, are elected for three-year terms on a
rotating basis. Under recent new legislation, elections will be
conducted on the general election day each November, beginning in 2007.
While candidates run for specific positions on the ballot, they
represent the entire district as Board members.
The Board of Trustees elects a president,
vice-president, and secretary to serve one-year terms. It selects and
employs the superintendent and delegates the responsibility and
authority for the operation of the school district to that chief
executive officer. The superintendent advises Board members on all
matters concerning school management.
Meeting Types
The regular business meetings of the Board of Trustees are open to the
public and are usually scheduled for 6 p.m. every second Thursday of the
month in Room 109 of the Dew Jr. High School. Occasionally, a regular
meeting date is changed, or a special meeting is called; but in all
cases notice is given. In crisis situations where immediate action is
required, Texas law allows the Board to call an emergency meeting.
In accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Law, the
Board has the privilege of meeting privately in a closed meeting to
discuss matters related to personnel, student discipline, security, land
acquisition or to consult with legal counsel. However, no action may be
taken at an executive session.
Addressing the Board
An open forum section is normally designated on the agenda allowing
individuals to address the Board. However, those wishing to do so must
sign their name to a request list before the meeting begins. The list is
available at the sign-in desk at the entrance to the Board Room.
Completed forms are submitted to the president who establishes a time
limitation for speakers. The president then calls to the podium those
wishing to speak.
Although Board members may interrupt a speaker to ask
questions or to make comments for clarification, state prohibits debate,
discussion, deliberation, or action on the subject presented unless it's
an agenda item.