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Normandy board adopts policy to formalize committees; discusses forming policy advisory panel
Summary
The board voted unanimously to adopt MSBA's policy BCE to formalize how the board appoints standing and ad hoc committees, and discussed — but did not vote on — creating a board‑appointed policy advisory committee that would include parents, teachers and community members to review policies before they reach the full board.
The Normandy Schools Collaborative Board of Education voted to adopt Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) policy BCE, formalizing the board's authority to appoint standing and ad hoc committees and setting parameters for committee membership and responsibilities.
The motion to adopt policy BCE was moved, seconded and approved on a roll call vote. Director Milton Roberts, Director Teresa Pearson, Director Erica Edwards, Secretary Taylor, Vice President Humphrey and President Lindsay Hodge all voted "Yes." President Hodge called the adoption "great" after the tally was read.
Policy BCE (as presented by MSBA) clarifies that the board will act as a committee of the whole on district business while retaining the ability to create standing or special committees to advise the board. The policy as read to trustees specifies that committees must follow instructions from the board, may be terminated by a majority of the board and that final decisionmaking authority remains with the full board. The draft policy also calls for committees to be given purpose statements, term limits, resources and reporting dates.
Director Erica Edwards proposed a board‑appointed policy advisory committee to review policy recommendations before they reach the full board. Trustees debated the committee's makeup and process: members suggested including at least two board members on the advisory committee, recruiting parents, teachers and community representatives by application, and ensuring the committee's chair (a board member) would work with the superintendent to recruit members and meet tight deadlines when MSBA circulates policy updates.
Some trustees argued existing meeting structures (municipal partner meetings, construction and strategic planning groups) already provide avenues for input and that ad hoc committees could be used as needed. Others said a standing policy advisory committee would increase transparency and help the superintendent and administration by producing more developed policy drafts prior to full board consideration. Trustees also discussed setting expectations that administrative procedures be documented at the building level so parents know how principals will handle exceptions.
President Hodge and several trustees recommended that, if formed, the policy advisory group should include student voices beyond student council, and that the committee explicitly address ADA/IEP accommodations in policy drafts. The board did not take a formal vote to create the policy advisory committee at the meeting; adoption of BCE was the formal action taken.
