Parma City board reviews rules on member absences, virtual attendance and vacancy process

PARMA CITY, Ohio — At a special meeting March 26, the Parma City School District Board of Education reviewed how Ohio law and local policy apply when a board member is on leave, including limits on virtual participation and the steps for filling a vacancy, board legal counsel David Rose told members.

Rose told the board that recent legislation restored the ability for many public bodies to hold virtual meetings but included an exception for bodies whose members are both elected and compensated. "So just in summary, as it stands right now, school boards [are] unable in Ohio to hold virtual meetings. Board members who are not able to attend a meeting are not able to attend virtually," he said, citing materials provided in the meeting packet, including Ohio Revised Code 1 21.22 and a final analysis of House Bill 257.

Why it matters: the limitation can affect quorum and voting. Rose said a five-member board still requires three members physically present to constitute a quorum. That, he said, increases the risk that absences could produce tie votes or otherwise make it harder to pass measures that require more than a simple majority.

Board members pressed Rose for specifics. One asked whether military service would be treated as a statutory reason for declaring a vacancy; Rose said it is not listed among the statutory causes. He read board policy 0145 and the statutory section in the packet that lists events that create a vacancy — for example, death, resignation, nonresidence, failure to qualify, removal from the district, or prolonged absence determined insufficient by a two-thirds vote entered into the record — and emphasized that ordinary absenteeism on its own does not automatically create a vacancy.

On communications and next steps, Rose recommended the board keep the absent member informed of public-facing information and suggested asking the member for an anticipated length of absence. He advised the board to revisit the topic at the next regular meeting "or right after the next board meeting" to assess how the absence is affecting operations.

The board also discussed the procedural steps required if a vacancy does occur: the treasurer's office posts a notice and solicits applications, the board interviews candidates within the statutory window (no earlier than 10 days and no later than 30 days after the vacancy), and the board appoints a candidate to fill the unexpired term; if the board cannot agree, the seat is referred to the county probate judge to fill.

The chair framed the discussion as a balance between respect for service and the board's operational needs; the chair noted personal connections to military service while urging the board to address the legal and practical implications openly. "Service is very personal to me," the chair said, noting family military service while adding the board must still confront legal and operational realities.

Before closing, the chair moved to adopt resolution 2026-03-179 to adjourn the special meeting. The resolution passed by roll call, with yes votes recorded for the members present; the meeting was then adjourned.

What the board said it will do next: counsel recommended revisiting the issue at the next board meeting and, if necessary, scheduling another special meeting to gather more information or to act if a vacancy emerges. The board did not take any formal action to declare a vacancy or to appoint a replacement at this meeting.