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RSU 40 chair reiterates attendance rule, reaffirms LGBTQ+ inclusion; board refers public‑comment changes to policy committee
Summary
The RSU 40 board chair reviewed policy BBD on absenteeism and said a member had been notified about missed meetings; the chair also read a statement affirming respect for LGBTQ+ students. The board voted to send a proposal on permitting public comment at committee meetings to the policy committee for drafting procedures.
At its meeting the RSU 40 school board debated internal governance issues and approved a referral to the policy committee to draft procedures allowing public participation at committee meetings while preserving committee discretion over time limits.
The board chair reviewed Policy BBD, which the chair described as the policy covering board‑declared vacancies caused by absenteeism, and said he had sent a certified letter to a board member who missed consecutive meetings without notifying the board. The chair warned that failure to complete FOA training could expose the district to a $500 fine and said the board would consider declaring a vacancy only after the absence thresholds in policy are met.
The chair also read a prepared statement on behalf of the board: "the board respects the rights of students and staff who are members of the LGBTQ plus community. Members of the LGBTQ plus community are welcome here. You will have the same opportunities and rights in RSU 40 as individuals who are not part of the LGBTQ plus community as required by both our policies and the law." He emphasized that individual members may speak but that the board as an entity speaks only through formal actions such as votes.
On procedure, a motion to add audience participation to committee agendas was moved and seconded and sent to the policy committee for drafting a procedure that would address time constraints and chair discretion. Board members discussed that personnel and negotiations committee meetings may still go into executive session when needed, which would preclude public participation for those matters. The chair announced the motion passed; the transcript records the motion and the chair—alling the vote.
The meeting also approved routine consent business and announced committee meeting dates and openings. No members of the public had signed up to speak during the public comment period.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of consent agenda (minutes of 08/15/2024): motion passed; two abstentions recorded (Julie, Nicole). (Transcript vote tally recorded by chair.) - Referral to policy committee to draft public‑participation procedures for committee agendas: motion passed after discussion; mover and seconder were indicated but not named in the transcript.
The board adjourned at about 7:32 p.m. and scheduled its next meeting for Sept. 19 at Central Office.
