Board reviews code of conduct and procedures for censure after last meeting’s dispute

Mrs. Votech reviewed the board’s longstanding policy committing the district to the Louisiana School Board Association’s code of conduct and explained that, for procedural matters not covered by policy, the board relies on Robert’s Rules of Order. She told the committee the resolution passed each January simply reaffirms that code of conduct.

During discussion, board member Miss Kea Rodney said she had received constituent questions after a censure motion at the prior meeting and asked whether the board’s procedures offered due process or an executive-session avenue for what she characterized as matters of personal character. Mrs. Votech said a censure motion is a regular, debatable motion under Robert’s Rules and does not in itself trigger executive-session protections. More serious disciplinary actions that would implicate character, competency or personnel procedures could require different steps and potentially other legal processes.

Miss Rodney said she felt blindsided by the earlier censure motion and expressed concern about notice and due process. She said she had consulted an executive member of the Louisiana School Board Association, who advised her to pursue policy clarification. Mrs. Votech suggested that a board member may propose a policy to require notice or other due-process steps before placing a censure on the floor.

What’s next: the exchange left open the possibility that a board member will draft a policy clarifying notice or due-process steps for censure or related disciplinary motions.