Board names representative to OCSBA government-relations committee, trustees discuss committee structure

The Oak Park School District Board of Education on Jan. 27 named Trustee Heather Pearman Tanks as the district’s representative to the Oakland County School Boards Association (OCSBA) government-relations committee and named Trustee Aisha Tyler as the alternate.

Trustee Pearman Tanks moved the appointment and Trustee Clark seconded; the motion passed by roll call. Board materials said the government-relations committee generally meets the first Wednesday of each month (virtual in January and February, in-person thereafter) and noted no meetings are scheduled for July, August or (typically) December unless needed.

Later in the meeting Trustee Pearman Tanks led an informational discussion about board committees and the option of a committee of the whole. She read the district bylaw language on committees (bylaw 1001), noting that committees gather information and that committee members are appointed by the board president after consulting other members. Pearman Tanks cited other local districts that use subcommittees or a committee-of-the-whole and said such structures can help avoid surprises at board meetings by allowing earlier, informal discussion among trustees.

President Alvin said committee appointments are made by the president after consultation and the board agreed to add Pearman Tanks as the OCSBA representative with Tyler as alternate. No vote was taken on creating additional standing committees at this meeting; the discussion was presented as information.