Board Bylaw

BB 9010

Board Bylaws

Public Statements

Note: Pursuant to Government Code 54960 as amended by SB 752 (Ch. 32, Statutes of 1994), the district attorney or any interested person can sue the Board in order to stop or prevent violations of the Brown Act or to determine whether any Board rule or action which penalizes or otherwise discourages the expression of one or more of its members is valid or invalid under law. The following optional bylaw may be modified as appropriate.

The Board of Education recognizes the rights of Board members to freely express their views and encourages open discussion of issues during the Board meeting. The Board believes that effective Board members have a responsibility to express themselves, whether in agreement or disagreement with the Board majority, in ways that promote the Board's ability to govern the district.

Before voting on any issue, all Board members shall be encouraged to present whatever evidence they may feel important to the matter at hand. The Board shall fully consider the implications and relevancy of all information so presented. All opinions, reactions, and positions shall be openly discussed, so that each member may understand all aspects of the issue before the Board makes its decision. Any Board member who may wish to criticize or oppose any specific Board action should do so during the Board meeting.

Once a Board decision has been reached, all Board members shall abide by that decision until it is amended or rescinded by subsequent Board action. When Board members express their opinions outside of the Board meeting, it is their responsibility to respect the democratic nature of Board decision-making and always identify personal viewpoints as such.

When speaking to community groups, the media, or other members of the public, individual Board members should recognize that their statements may be perceived as reflecting the views and positions of the Board.

All public statements authorized to be made on behalf of the Board shall be made by the Board president or, if appropriate, by the Superintendent or other designated representative. No individual Board member shall make public statements in the name of the Board.

(cf. 9011 - Disclosure of Confidential/Privileged Information)

(cf. 9200 - Members)

Legal Reference:

EDUCATION CODE

35010 Control of district; prescription and enforcement of rules

GOVERNMENT CODE

54960 Actions to stop or prevent violation of meeting provisions

Bylaw PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

adopted: December 11, 2000 Palos Verdes Estates, California