Seattle Public Schools

1210 Election of Officers

Election of Officers

As required by state law, the Board shall annually elect from among its members a President and Vice President to serve one-year terms. Under this policy, the Seattle School Board also annually elects a Member-at-Large to serve a one-year term using the same process as is provided for the legally required officer positions.

The election of officers is held during the first Regular Board meeting at which newly elected Board Directors are seated in election years and during the first Regular Board meeting in December in non-election years.

A newly appointed Board Director is not eligible to serve as President or Vice President unless a majority of the Board has been appointed.

Officers are elected using a roll call vote requiring a majority vote of all the members of the Board as required by state law.

If a Board Director is unable to continue to serve as an officer, a replacement shall be elected immediately.

The Superintendent is the Board Secretary and conducts the annual election of Board Officers.

Order of Business for Annual Election of Officers

The normal order of business is modified for the Regular Board meeting during which the annual election of officers is conducted. The election of officers will be conducted as follows after approval of the Consent Agenda:

  1. Welcome and introduction of newly elected Board Directors by the President.
  2. Call for nominations for President to assume office immediately and serve during the ensuing year.
  3. Election of a President.
  4. Assumption of office by the new President.
  5. Call for nominations for Vice President to assume office immediately and serve during the ensuing year.
  6. Election of a Vice President.
  7. Assumption of office by the new Vice President.
  8. Call for nominations for Member-at-Large to serve during the ensuing year.
  9. Election of a Member-at-Large.
  10. Assumption of office by the new Member-at-Large.

Temporary Absence of Officers and Appointment of President Pro Tempore

In the absence of the President, Vice President, and Member-at-Large, the President shall appoint a president pro tempore, who shall perform the functions of the President during the latter’s absence.


Superintendent Procedure:

Policy Cross References:

  • 1111 – Oath of Office
  • 1220 – Board Officers and Duties of Board Members
  • 1225 – Legislative Program and Advocacy
  • 1400 – Board Meetings
  • 1640 – Responsibilities and Authority of the Superintendent

Previous Policies:

  • B10.00 – Election of Officers

Legal References:

  • RCW 28A.330.010 Board president, vice-president or president pro tempore —Secretary.
  • RCW 28A.330.020 Certain board elections, manner and vote required — Selection of personnel, manner.
  • RCW 28A.330.050 Duties of superintendent as secretary of the board.
  • RCW 28A.400.030 Superintendent Duties.
  • RCW 29A.60.280 Local elected officials, commencement of term of office—Purpose.

Management Resources:

Last Board Review:

  • July 2, 2025

Revisions:

  • July 2, 2025
  • March 27, 2025 (Administrative Update per Policy No. 1310)
  • March 1, 2017

Adopted by the Board:

  • June 1, 2011