1220 Board Officers and Duties of Board Members

Partial Policy Suspension for November 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023:

On October 26, 2022, the Seattle School Board voted to suspend the requirement for standing committees under Board Policy No. 1240, with limited exceptions outlined in that policy, until July 31, 2023. 

President

The president shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and sign all papers and documents as required by law or as authorized by action of the Board. The president shall conduct the meetings in the manner prescribed by the Board’s policies, provided that the president shall have the full right to participate in all aspects of Board action without relinquishing the chair, including the right to vote on all matters put to a vote.

It shall be the responsibility of the Board president to manage the Board’s deliberation so that it shall be clear, concise, and directed to the issue at hand; summarize discussion and/or action before moving on to the next agenda item; and to generally manage the meeting so that the agenda is treated in an expeditious manner.

The president is authorized to consult with the Superintendent on issues prior to presentation to the full Board and perform tasks to facilitate Board meetings.

In dealing with the media and the public in general, the president or their designee will serve as the spokesperson of the Board. The president is authorized to report and discuss those actions which have been taken and those decisions made by the Board as a body. The president shall avoid speculating upon actions or decisions which the Board may take but has not yet taken.

The president shall confer with the Superintendent regarding Board meeting, study session and Board retreat planning.

Vice President

The vice president shall preside at Board meetings in the absence of the president and shall perform all of the duties of the president in case of their absence or disability.

Member-at-Large

The member-at-large shall preside at Board meetings in the absence of the president and vice president and shall perform all of the duties of the president in case of their absence or disability.

Secretary

The Superintendent as Board secretary shall be responsible for:

1. Maintaining an accurate and complete record of all Board proceedings;
2. Taking charge of the Board’s books and documents;
3. Drawing and signing all orders for warrants authorized by the Board;
4. Sending out notices of meetings and other relevant communications to Board members and the public;
5. Preparing agendas and supplementary documents as authorized by the Board;
6. Submitting required reports to the educational service district and to state and national agencies;
7. Authorizing the investment of district surplus funds by the county treasurer; and
8. Carrying out other duties as directed by the Board and required by law.

The Superintendent may appoint a designee as secretary in their absence.

Legislative Representative

The Board president shall appoint a legislative representative to serve as the Board’s liaison with the Washington State School Directors’ Association General Assembly. The legislative representative shall assume office in January in an even year for a two-year period. The legislative representative shall attend Washington State School Directors’ Association General Assembly, conveying local views and concerns to that body and participating in the formulation of state legislative programs. The legislative representative shall monitor proposed school legislation and inform the Board of the issues.

Duties of Individual Board Members

The authority of individual Board members is limited to participating in actions taken by the Board as a whole when legally in session. Board members shall not assume responsibilities of administrators or other staff members. The Board or staff shall not be bound in any way by any action taken or statement made by any individual Board member except when such statement or action is pursuant to specific instructions and official action taken by the Board.

Each Board member shall review the agenda and any study materials distributed prior to the meeting and be prepared to participate in the discussion and decision-making for each agenda item.

Each Board member shall attend all scheduled meetings.