Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board consolidates norms; votes against appointing a formal 'norms checker'
Summary
Board members debated wording of a proposed handbook norms section, combined several items into a consolidated list to return in August, and voted to decline creation of a standing 'norms checker' role. The meeting record shows the board decided against a named norms checker; a numeric roll-call was not read into the record.
The RSU 60/MSAD 60 board spent extensive time revising proposed norms for the board handbook and then voted that it would not adopt a formal 'norms checker.'
Staff member (1) circulated a draft handbook with links to Maine School Boards Association materials and asked board members to submit suggested edits for an August meeting. Board discussion focused on how to phrase obligations such as demonstrating value for the board, being respectful in person and online, modeling collaborative behavior, being fully engaged in meetings, and standing for majority decisions. Members proposed combining several related items to reduce repetition and to make norms actionable.
After extended edits and discussion, Staff member (1) read a consolidated draft aloud: "We will demonstrate value and respect for each other in person, in the community, and online. We will stand for our decisions. Our work together will be time bound, focused, valuable, and evidence based. Communication will be timely, taken with positive intentionality, and focused. We will be fully engaged in meetings and work to continuously model professional collaboration. We will lead and guide the district as one team representing the best interests of students from all three towns." Board members asked for further review and agreed to return the handbook and norms for the August meeting.
Committee member (11) moved 'that we have no norms checker.' The motion was seconded and, in the spoken record, Chair (3) called for a vote and stated the motion carried with no opposition. The transcript records the outcome but does not include a roll-call tally. Several members noted concerns about enforcement and suggested alternatives such as reading norms at the start of meetings or making norms part of the board's self-evaluation.
The board did not take additional formal steps about enforcement during the meeting; members agreed to keep reviewing the handbook text and to circulate versions in a shared document.
