Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation

TC-1000-1

1000 - BOARD BYLAWS AND OPERATIONS

1001 Official Description

Name
Territorial Extent of the District
Address
1004 Board Powers
1008 District Authority
1010 Purpose
1100 Bylaw and Policy Development System
Draft Writer
Attorney Involvement
Staff Involvement
Community Involvement
1101 Bylaw and Policy Adoption
1104 Suspension of Bylaws and Policies
1140 Compensation for Board Members
1150 Indemnification
1155 Board Member Conflicts of Interest, Ethics, and
Responsibilities
1160 Contracts and Board Member Disclosure Obligations
1180 Meetings
Regular Meetings
Special Meetings
Mailing of Written Notices
Closed or Executive Sessions
Emergency Meetings
Procedures for Meetings
Time and Place
Notification to Members
Agenda
Special Meeting Agenda
Rules of Order
Quorum
Minutes
Public Participation in Meetings
Information and Study Session
1225 Duties of Board Officers
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
1230 School Attorney
1235 Independent Auditor
1240 Memberships

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation

TC-1000-2

1245 School Board Conferences

1248 Board Advisory Committees
1250 Board-Staff Communications
1255 Staff Communications to the Board
Board Communications to Staff

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1001 Official Description 1001

Name

This District shall be known officially as the Lenawee Schools Intermediate

School District. In addition the District recognizes the common reference to it as

the Lenawee Intermediate School District. The District is under the direction of

the Lenawee Schools Intermediate School District Board of Education.

Territorial Extent of the District

The District boundaries constitute those of the following public school

Districts: Addison Community Schools, Adrian Public Schools, Blissfield

Community Schools, Britton-Macon Area Schools, Clinton Community Schools,

Deerfield Public Schools, Hudson Area Schools, Madison School District,

Morenci Area Schools, Onsted Community Schools, Sand Creek Community

Schools, and Tecumseh Public Schools.

Address

The official address of the District Board shall be 4107 North Adrian

Highway, Adrian, MI 49221-9309.

Approved: June 2, 2003

LEGAL REF: MCL 380.601 et seq.

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1004 Board Powers 1004

The Board shall be a body corporate, and, as such, capable of suing and

being sued, contracting and being contracted with, acquiring, holding, possessing

and disposing of real and personal property, and taking and holding in trust for

the use and benefit of the District, any grant or devise of land and any donation

or bequest of money or other personal property.

The power of this Board extends to those matters expressly granted by

statute or those matters that may be necessarily implied from such powers

specifically delegated as being necessary to carry them out, and, except as

provided by law, may exercise a power incidental or appropriate to the

performance of any function related to the operation of the Intermediate School

District in the interests of public elementary and secondary education in the

intermediate school District.

The Board shall have, through its Superintendent, the management and

control of all facilities and programs in the District and the employees, students

and other persons entering upon its premises.

Approved: June 2, 2003

LEGAL REF: MCL 380.601a

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1008 District Authority 1008

The Board recognizes that many of the subject topics found in this policy

manual may be subject to negotiations under the Michigan Public Employment

Relations Act. It is not the intent of the Board to, in any way, circumvent the

negotiations process; but rather to establish direction and general and long-range

operational procedures for the care and custody, establishment, maintenance,

management and carrying on of the public schools and property of the District as

authorized under current law.

Whenever the word “Superintendent” or “Assistant Superintendent”

appears in these policies and rules, the words “or designated representative”
shall be assumed to follow. The delegation of authority of administrative actions

does not relieve the Superintendent of the responsibility of the actions of such

designated representatives.

The Superintendent is authorized to develop forms and procedures to

implement Board policies. All policies shall become effective immediately upon

Board adoption unless otherwise noted.

Approved: June 2, 2003

LEGAL REF: MCL 380.601a

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1010 Purpose 1010

Each student is the reason the District exists. The Lenawee Intermediate

School District provides services to students, the local public and private schools

and the Michigan Department of Education.

Approved: June 2, 2003

LEGAL REF: MCL 380.601a et seq., Also see the “Lenawee Intermediate School
District Vision July 30, 2001”

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1100 Bylaw and Policy Development System 1100
The Superintendent, as the need arises, shall advise the Board when
he/she is of the opinion that a bylaw or policy should be changed, deleted, or
supplemented and present to the Board the reason therefore.
The Board shall review its bylaws and policies and shall, as needs dictate,
delete, amend and supplement existing bylaws and policies and adopt new
bylaws and policies.
Draft Writer
The Superintendent shall draft all recommended policy changes, draft new
bylaws proposals and recommendations for changes. This Superintendent shall
also draft items for the Board of Education’s meeting agendas describing these
policies and the reason for their development, deletion, and/or revisions.
Attorney Involvement
Bylaws, policies, and rules of the Board may be submitted to the Board's
attorney to determine the legality of said bylaws and policies and rules before
they are submitted to the Board for final approval.
Staff Involvement
In formulating policy recommendations to be made to the Board, the
Superintendent may involve members of the staff.
The Superintendent may solicit recommendations from the staff about the
current policies, needs for change and new draft policies. The Superintendent, in
formulating recommendations to the Board, shall consider the input from the
staff. The Superintendent shall make clear to staff the level of decision-making
authority involved in policy formulation, and that their involvement is at the
consultative level.
The Board may advise the public, through the news media and other
means, that the Board welcomes suggestions and ideas concerning Board
policy.

Approved: June 2, 2003

LEGAL REF: MCL 380.11a; 380.601 et seq.

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1101 Bylaw and Policy Adoption 1101

Except for policy actions to be taken on emergency measures, the

adoption of Board policies shall follow a sequence that will take place over a

period covered by two regular or special meetings of the Board.

1. Announcement of proposed new or revised policies as an item of

information in the reports section of the routine Board of Education meeting

agenda, from the Superintendent, for first reading by the Board.

2. Opportunity offered to concerned groups or individuals to react to policy

proposals.

3. Discussion and final action by the Board on policy proposals.

The final vote on policy adoption shall be taken at least two weeks from

the meeting at which the policy was first read.

1. Prior to enactment, all policy proposals shall be titled and coded as

appropriate to subject and in conformance with the codification system

used in the Board policy manual.

2. Insofar as possible, each policy statement shall be limited to one subject.

3. Policies and amendments adopted by the Board shall be attached to and

made a part of the minutes of the meeting at which they are adopted and

shall be included in the policy manual of the District.

4. Policies and amendments to policies shall be effective immediately upon

adoption unless a specific effective date is provided in the adopted

resolution.

Emergency Procedure

On matters of urgency, the Board may waive the two-week limitation and

take immediate action to adopt new or revise existing policies. When such

immediate action is necessary, the Superintendent shall inform concerned

groups or individuals about the reasons for this necessity.

Approved: June 2, 2003

LEGAL REF: MCL 380. 601a, 653, 654

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation

1104 Suspension of Bylaws and Policies 1104

The Board’s bylaws and policies shall be subject to suspension upon a

majority vote of the members elected to and serving on the Board. Whenever

practical the Board’s action of suspension shall be for a time certain, or otherwise

indicate the length of suspension.

Approved: June 2, 2003

LEGAL REF: MCL 380. 601a, 623, 627

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1140 Compensation for Board Members 1140

Board of Education members shall be compensated at the rate of $30.00

per diem for all regular and special meetings of the Board and its committees, not

to exceed 52 meetings per year.

Board members shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses

incurred in discharging their official duties and in performing functions authorized

by the Board, as permitted by this policy and state law. The Board of Education

must approve, by majority vote any payment or reimbursement of an expense

claimed under the schedule of specific categories listed below prior to issuing a

check.
Schedule of Specific Categories

The following specific categories of duties and functions are approved as

reimbursable expenses:

1. Expenses incurred for attendance at education-related seminars,

conferences, conventions, workshops, continuing, education courses, and

hearings, including registration fees, and travel, lodging, meals, course

materials and other related expenses.

2. Expenses incurred for attendance at national, state, regional, county, and

local education-related association or intergovernmental meetings.

3. Expenses incurred in attendance at educational or civic programs and

functions when designated as the Board's official representative, delegate,

or spokesperson, except for partisan political activities or lobbying.

4. School business travel: airfare at coach rate; automobile mileage at the

Internal Revenue Service approved rate per mile, plus tolls; and, taxi or

rental car allowances.

5. Reimbursement for education-related journals, books and supplies and

organization dues.

6. School business related long distance telephone call charges.

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation

1140 Compensation for Board Members 1140-2

If a Board member incurs an expense for an official duty or function not

appearing on the schedule of categories, the Board shall not reimburse the

member for that expense unless a motion to approve the non-scheduled expense

is adopted by the Board.

No Board member travel involving an overnight stay will be eligible for

reimbursement unless approved in writing, in advance by two other Board

members, and after submission of receipts for actual expenses, such

reimbursement shall be approved by a vote of the Board.

Approved: February 7, 2005

LEGAL REF: MCL 380.621, 380.1254, 380.1217a, 388.1764b, PA 234 of 2004,
PA 419 of 2004

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1140-R Compensation for Board Members 1140-R

1. Compensation and mileage shall be paid to Board members for all regular

and special Board meetings:

a) Property Transfer Hearings

b) Budget Hearings

c) Joint Board Meetings

d) Other meetings officially called by the Board

2. Compensation and mileage shall be paid to Board members for all Board

committee meetings:

a) Salaries and Wages Ad Hoc Committee

b) Audit Ad Hoc Committee

c) Agenda Preparation Meetings

d) Other formally appointed Board committee meetings

3. Expense vouchers: to receive reimbursement, a Board member shall

submit to the Superintendent an expense voucher and supporting receipts

or other evidence to verify each expense.

4. Spouses and other family members: expenses for spouses and other

family members accompanying Board members in discharging their official

duties or performing authorized functions are not reimbursable.

5. Board members shall be paid compensation and mileage for each meeting

attended except when two or more meetings are held consecutively on the

same day, in which case compensation and mileage shall be paid for one

meeting only.

No public funds1 will be spent for purchasing alcoholic beverages, jewelry,

gifts, fees for golf, or any item the purchase or possession of which is illegal.

1
Public funds” means funds generated from taxes levied under this act, state appropriations of state or federal funds,
or payments made to the intermediate school district for services by a constituent district or any other person, but does
not include voluntary contributions made for a specific purpose by an intermediate school board member, an
intermediate school district employee, another individual, or a private entity.

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1150 Indemnification 1150

The Board may bear the costs, including reasonable counsel fees and

expenses and costs of appeal, if any, incurred by a Board member in his/her

defense of a civil action, or in a criminal action that results in final disposition in

his/her favor, brought against him/her for any act or omission arising out of and in

the performance of his/her duties as a Board member.

Approved: June 2, 2003

LEGAL REF: MCL 691.1407 et seq.

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1155 Board Member Conflicts of Interest, Ethics, and Responsibilities 1155
(Cf. 1160, 5230, 5695)

The objectives of this policy are to maintain an impartial administration of

the business of the District and to maintain public confidence in the Board of

Education.

No member of the Board of Education shall engage in, or be a party to,

any of the following activities:

1. Representing his/her opinion as that of the Board of Education or

making commitments on behalf of the District or the Board. No

Board member shall have the power to act in the name of the

Board outside Board meetings unless that person has been

specifically designated to do so by official Board action.

2. Making representations to the staff and citizens that he/she, as an

individual, has the right to take official action for the District. Only

the Board, not individual members, has the right to take official

action for the District.

3. Responding to contacts for discussion of District business or for

complaints, by making a commitment on behalf of the Board. The

individual Board member can listen, but does not and cannot,

speak for the Board or the Superintendent.

4. Exhibiting conduct that shows evidence of prejudice, bias,

favoritism, or personal gain as a motivating force.

5. Disclosing or releasing of confidential information, not otherwise

available to members of the general public, in advance of the time

prescribed for the release; provided however, that this provision

shall not prevent a Board of Education member from divulging or

releasing confidential information regarding suspected violations of

law.

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1155 Board Member Conflicts of Interest, Ethics, and Responsibilities 1155-2
(Cf. 1160, 5230, 5695)

6. Benefiting financially from confidential information obtained due to

the member’s position on the Board of Education.

7. Using resources, property, or funds of the District, except in

accordance with prescribed constitutional, statutory, and regulatory

procedures, and in accordance with good business procedures and

not for personal gain or benefit.

8. Soliciting or accepting a gift or loan of money, goods, services or

other things of value, that might tend or appear to influence the

manner in which the Board of Education member performs his/her

official duties. In any 1-month period, an Intermediate School

Board member shall not accept from a person who does business

or seeks to do business of any kind with the Intermediate School

District any money, goods, or services with a value in excess of

$44.002 if the Board member does not provide goods or services of

equal value in exchange. This subsection does not apply to a gift or

reward already prohibited under section 1805.3

2
Adjusted annually via CPI. As established at MCL 380.634(4):
(4) Subject to subsection (8), in any 1-month period, an intermediate school board member or intermediate
school district administrator shall not accept from a person who does business or seeks to do business of
any kind with the intermediate school district any money, goods, or services with a value in excess of
$44.00 if the board member or administrator does not provide goods or services of equal value in exchange.
This subsection does not apply to a gift or reward already prohibited under section 1805.
3
See also, Board Member could be included in “school officer” term below:
380.1805 Acting as agent; receiving gift or reward; penalty.
Sec. 1805. (1) A superintendent of public instruction, intermediate superintendent, school officer,
superintendent, principal, or teacher of schools shall not act as agent for an author, publisher, or seller of
schoolbooks or school apparatus, or receive a gift or reward for his or her influence in recommending the
purchase or use of a schoolbook, apparatus, or furniture in this state.
(2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than
$500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 3 months, or both.
History: 1976, Act 451, Imd. Eff. Jan. 13, 1977

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1155 Board Member Conflicts of Interest, Ethics, and Responsibilities 1155-3
(Cf. 1160, 5230, 5695)

9. Becoming employed by the District or receiving any compensation

for services rendered, except compensation for attending meetings

and for expenses as permitted by law.

10. Becoming employed by the District until having been out of office

for one (1) full year from the date of official separation from office.

11. Endorsing any organizations, institutions, instructional books or

materials, political candidates, etc., on behalf of the District or the

Board without the express action of the Board.

Board Members shall:

1. Attend all scheduled Board meetings insofar as possible and become

informed concerning the issues to be discussed at Board meetings;

2. Take no action that will compromise the Board or the District’s staff

and respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under

applicable law;

3. Make policy only after full discussion of the issues at publicly held

Board meetings;

4. Encourage the free expression of opinion by all Board members and

seek systematic communications between the Board, students, staff,

and all elements of the community;

5. Work with other Board members to establish effective policy and to

delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the

Superintendent;

6. Communicate to other Board members and the Superintendent public

reaction to Board policy and District programs;

7. Become informed about current educational issues by individual study

and through participation in programs providing needed information;

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1155 Board Member Conflicts of Interest, Ethics, and Responsibilities 1155-4
(Cf. 1160, 5230, 5695)

8. Support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as

District staff and insist on a regular, impartial evaluation of all staff.

Board Member Responsibilities

The Board shall transact all business at legally called and posted

meetings.

If a specific complaint needs attention, the Board member shall refer the

complaint to the Superintendent. The Board member also shall inform the

complainant about the process for bringing items to the Board’s attention through

the Board’s public participation portion of the Board meetings.

Approved: June 6, 2005

LEGAL REF: OAG, 1985-1986, No 6368, p 296 (June 5, 1986); OAG, 1989-
1990, No 6642, p 274 (January 2, 1990); OAG, 1991-1992, No
6728, p 172 (August 26, 1992); MCL 380.634.

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1160 Contracts and Board Member Disclosure Obligations (Cf. 4005) 1160

1. Except for contracts specified in Section 5, below, a Board member shall

comply with the disclosure provisions of Section 2 of this policy in contracts

where:

a. The Board member is a direct party to any contract between

himself/herself and the District, or

b. The Board member, directly or indirectly, solicits, negotiates, re-

negotiates, represents a party to, or is an indirect party to, any contract

with the District and

i. Any firm, meaning a co-partnership or other unincorporated

association, or in which he/she is a partner, member, or employee,

ii. Any private corporation in which he/she is a stockholder owning

more than 1% of the total outstanding stock of any class if the stock

is not listed on a stock exchange, or stock with a present total

market value in excess of $25,000.00 if the stock is listed on a

stock exchange or of which he/she is a Director, officer, or

employee, or

iii. Any trust of which he/she is a beneficiary or trustee.

2. A Board member shall promptly disclose any pecuniary interest in the

contract to the Board of Education, which disclosure shall be a matter of

record in its official proceedings. This disclosure shall be made in the

following ways:

a. If the contract is for emergency repairs or services, the Board member

must promptly disclose any pecuniary interest in the contract which

disclosure shall be made a matter of record in the Board’s official

proceedings.

b. If the Board member will directly benefit from a District contract in an

amount less than $250.00 and less than 5% of the public cost of the

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1160 Contracts and Board Member Disclosure Obligations (Cf. 4005) 1160-2

contract, the Board member must disclose his/her pecuniary interest in

the contract by filing a sworn affidavit with the School Board.

c. If the Board member will benefit by $250.00 or more, or 5% or more of

the public cost of the contract, his/her pecuniary interest must be

disclosed in one of two ways:

i. By notifying, in writing, the President of the Board of his/her interest

at least seven (7) calendar days before the meeting at which a

decision regarding the contract will be made. If the President of the

Board is the individual with the conflict of interest, disclosure must

be made to the Secretary of the Board. The disclosure shall be

made public in the same manner as in public meeting notice, or

ii. By disclosing his/her interest in the contract at a Board meeting.

Under this option, the Board may not vote on the relevant contract

until at least seven (7) calendar days after the meeting at which the

disclosure was made.

d. If the Board member’s pecuniary interest in the contract exceeds

$5,000.00, the Board member must disclose his/her interest in the

contract at a Board meeting, and the Board may not vote in the

relevant contract until at least seven (7) calendar days after the

meeting at which the disclosure was made.

3. Except as provided in Section 4 below, the contract must be approved by a

vote of not less than 2/3rds of the full membership of the Board of Education

in open session without the vote of the Board member making disclosure

specified in Section 2. The Board of Education must disclose the following

summary information in its official minutes:

a. The name of each party involved in the contract,

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1160 Contracts and Board Member Disclosure Obligations (Cf. 4005) 1160-3

b. The terms of the contract, including duration, financial consideration

between parties, facilities or services of the District included in the

contract, and the nature and degree of assignment of employee of the

District for fulfillment of the contract, and

c. The nature of the pecuniary interest.

4. If 2/3rds of the members of the Board are not eligible under this policy to

vote on a contract or to constitute a quorum, a member may be counted for

purposes of a quorum and may vote on the contract if the member will

directly benefit from the contract in an amount less than $250.00 and less

than 5% of the public cost of the contract and the member files a sworn

affidavit to that effect with the official body. The affidavit shall be made part

of the public record of the official proceedings.

5. If the Board of Education receives a disclosure described in this policy and

the policy covering employees (see 4005) the Board shall vote at a public

meeting of the Board whether-or-not it considers the relationship described

in the disclosure to be a conflict of interest.

6. The Board of Education shall not enter into any contract where a Board

member or ISD administrator has a substantial conflict of interest in a

proposed contract.4

7. This policy shall not apply to:

(a) A contract between the Intermediate School District and any of the

following:

(i) A corporation in which an Intermediate School Board member or

Intermediate School District administrator is a stockholder owning

4
Section 634(5) of the Revised School Code defines this term as: “…As used in this subsection,
“substantial conflict of interest” means a conflict of interest on the part of an intermediate school board
member or intermediate school district administrator in respect to a contract with the intermediate school
district that is of such substance as to induce action on his or her part to promote the contract for his or her
own personal benefit.”

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1160 Contracts and Board Member Disclosure Obligations (Cf. 4005) 1160-4

1% or less of the total stock outstanding in any class if the stock is

not listed on a stock exchange or owning stock that has a present

market value of $25,000.00 or less if the stock is listed on a stock

exchange.

(ii) A corporation in which a trust, if an Intermediate School Board

member or Intermediate School District administrator is a

beneficiary under the trust, owns 1% or less of the total stock

outstanding in any class if the stock is not listed on a stock

exchange or owns stock that has a present market value of

$25,000.00 or less if the stock is listed on a stock exchange.

(iii) A professional limited liability company organized pursuant to the

Michigan limited liability company act, 1993 PA 23, MCL

450.5101 to 450.6200, if an Intermediate School Board member

or Intermediate School District administrator is an employee but

not a member of the company.

(b) A contract between the Intermediate School District and any of the

following:

(i) A corporation in which an Intermediate School Board member or

Intermediate School District administrator is not a Director, officer,

or employee.

(ii) A firm, partnership, or other unincorporated association, in which

an Intermediate School Board member or Intermediate School

District administrator is not a partner, member, or employee.

(iii) A corporation or firm that has an indebtedness owed to an

Intermediate School Board member or Intermediate School

District administrator.

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1160 Contracts and Board Member Disclosure Obligations (Cf. 4005) 1160-5

(c) A contract between the Intermediate School District and a constituent

District.

(d) A contract awarded to the lowest qualified bidder, upon receipt of

sealed bids pursuant to a published notice for bids if the notice does

not bar, except as authorized by law, any qualified person, firm,

corporation, or trust from bidding. This subdivision does not apply to

amendments or renegotiations of a contract or to additional payments

under the contract that were not authorized by the contract at the

time of award.

Approved: December 5, 2005

LEGAL REF: MCL 15.321, et seq., Add. 2004, Act 419, Imd. Eff. Nov. 29, 2004.

Policy Manual
Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1180 Meetings 1180

The Board of Education believes that to function effectively it must have

clearly defined rules and, procedures by which to conduct the business of the

District.

Actions by the Board

The official business of the District which the Board is authorized to

perform will be conducted only at a public, duly called meeting, with appropriate

notice given as provided by law, and, in particular, Act No. 267 of the Michigan

Public Acts of 1976 as amended ("Open Meetings" Act). No action shall be valid

unless voted on at a meeting by a majority vote of the members elected to and

serving on the Board and a proper record made of the vote.

A proper “official” record of Board proceedings shall be made, signed by

the Secretary. In the absence of the Secretary, the President shall appoint a

temporary Secretary who shall sign the minutes of the meeting. Another Officer

shall act in the absence of the President.

A meeting shall be defined as any gathering for the purpose of discussion

of school business which includes enough members to constitute a quorum,

excepting gatherings for the purpose of adopting a non-policy making tribute or

memorial, or those of a social or chance nature not designed to circumvent the

intent of the Open Meetings Act. Elected members of the Board may also listen

to presentations, observe demonstrations made for their benefit, or meet with

neighborhood groups or the Board of Directors of a private corporation without

complying with the Open Meetings Act. Deliberations concerning Board business

shall not take place at such gatherings.

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1180 Meetings 1180-2

II. Meetings

A. Annual Organizational Meeting

The Board shall meet annually on or before the fourth Monday of July and

shall organize by electing a President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Officers

shall be elected members of the Board. At the discretion of the Board of

Education, it may create and eliminate the office of Vice President, and may elect

a Trustee or the Secretary to serve in the office of Vice-President.

The officers shall perform duties provided by law and prescribed by the

policies and regulations of the District consistent with state and federal
regulations. The Treasurer shall post with the Secretary a bond in an amount

approved by the Board, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the

Treasurer's duties.

The Board shall adopt a regular monthly meeting schedule by a vote of a

majority of the elected members at the organizational meeting. There shall be

posted at the principle office of the Board, and at other appropriate places, a

notice of the schedule of meetings within ten days after the organizational

meeting. The notice, and all public notices of meetings, shall include the name,

address, and telephone number of the Board office and the date, time, and place

of the meetings. The Superintendent is designated by the Board to be

responsible for the posting of notices.

B. Regular Meetings

Regular monthly meetings shall be held at the Education Service Center

at 4107 North Adrian Highway, Adrian, Michigan, unless otherwise determined by

the Board. The schedule of regular meetings or a regular meeting date may be

changed at any meeting by a majority vote of the elected Board. Public notice of

a change in a regular meeting date, time, or place shall be posted at least 18

hours prior to the meeting.

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1180 Meetings 1180-3

C. Special Meetings

A special meeting of the Board may be called by the President or by any

other two members of the Board by mailing a written notice to each member and

the Superintendent at least 72 hours before the time of the meeting, or by

delivering the written notice to members personally, or by leaving the notice at

each member's residence with a person of the household at least 24 hours

before the meeting is to take place. Public notice of the special meetings shall

be posted at the principle office of the Board and at other appropriate places at

least 18 hours prior to the convening of the meeting:

D. Mailing of Written Notices

Upon oral or written request and payment of a fee as established by the

Board, the schedule of regular meetings or the notice of rescheduled regular

meetings shall be delivered or sent to any person or business. A person or

business may obtain a subscription for such schedules and notices for a period

of six months or one year, at the option of the person, by oral or written request

and payment of a fee as established by the Board. The fees shall not exceed the

reasonable estimated costs for printing and postage, as determined by the

Board. A newspaper published or radio and television station located in this state

shall not be required to pay a fee for such schedules or notices. If mailed, the

notices should be mailed 72 hours before the meetings and in no case less than

18 hours before the meeting.

E. Closed or Executive Sessions

The Board may meet in closed session only for the following purposes:

1. To consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of, or to hear

complaints or charges brought against an elected member, employee, or

individual agent when the named person requests a closed hearing.

Policy Manual
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1180 Meetings 1180-4

2. To consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of a student when

the student or the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) requests a closed

hearing.

3. For strategy and negotiation sessions connected with the negotiation of a

collective bargaining agreement when either negotiating party requests a

closed hearing.

4. To consider the purchase or lease of real property up to the time an option

to purchase or lease that real property is obtained.

5. To consult with its attorney regarding trial or settlement strategy in

connection with specific pending litigation, but only when an open meeting

would have detrimental financial effect on the litigating or settlement

position of the Board.

6. To review the specific contents of an application for employment or

appointment to public office when the candidate requests that the

application remain confidential. However, all interviews by the Board for

employment or appointment to public office shall be held in an open

meeting.

7. To consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or

federal statutes.

Except for the purpose identified in items, 1, 2, and 3, a two-thirds, open

meeting roll call vote of the members elect is required to call a closed session

and the purpose or purposes for the closed or executive session shall be entered

in the minutes of the meeting at which the vote is taken. The closed or executive

session shall be recorded in separate minutes that shall not be a matter of public

record except as provided in law. No vote shall be taken during closed session

on matters considered in closed session. Any action taken on such matters shall

be taken in a public meeting and recorded in the minutes of that meeting.

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1180 Meetings 1180-5

F. Emergency Meetings

The Board may meet in emergency session in the event of a severe and

imminent threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the public when two-thirds of

the members elect decide that delay would be detrimental to efforts to lessen or

respond to the threat.

III. Procedures for Meetings

A. Time and Place

Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at the Education Service

Center at 4107 North Adrian Highway, Adrian, Michigan, on the first Monday of
each month at 5:00 p.m. Changes in date, time, or place shall be posted by the

Secretary in accordance with the provisions established in II-B of this policy.

B. Notification to Members

No notification of regular meetings is required beyond the mailing or

delivery of the agenda for the meeting. Elected members of the Board shall be

informed of the date, time, and place of any special meeting by written notice

mailed not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting or delivery of said notice to

members personally or by leaving the notice at each member's, residence with a

person of the household at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

C. Agenda

The agenda for a regular meeting shall be prepared by the Superintendent

and delivered to the elected members of the Board and other interested parties

at least 24 hours before the date of the meeting. Board members' agenda shall

be accompanied by the unapproved minutes of regular meetings, those minutes

of special meetings that are available, Superintendent's recommendations, and

other materials pertinent to items on the agenda or that may be useful to the

elected members.

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1180 Meetings 1180-6

D. Special Meeting Agenda

The agenda for a special meeting shall, time permitting, meet the same

requirements as to preparation and delivery as indicated above.

E. Order of Business – Minimum (subject to ad hoc modification by the

Board)

1. Call to Order

2. Approval of Agenda

3. Comments from the Public

4. Information and Reports

a. Instruction

b. Consultation & Planning

c. Finance & Administrative Services

d. Office of the Superintendent

5. Consent Agenda

a. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes

b. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes

c. Financial Reports

6. Recommended Action

7. Adjournment

F. Rules of Order

The Board shall be governed by rules of procedure as adopted by the

Board. In no event shall the Board adopt Robert’s Rules of Order. The presiding

officer may, however, at his/her discretion, use Robert’s Rules of Order as a

“guideline” in the conduct of meetings.

G. Quorum

A majority of the elected members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

A majority of the elected members is required to approve a motion.

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1180 Meetings 1180-7

H. Voting Method

Voting shall be ayes or nays. Roll call votes may be called for at the

discretion of the President or may be requested by any elected member, unless

otherwise required under law. All roll call votes shall be recorded and included in

the minutes of the meeting. Any elected member may abstain from voting for

cause and may request his/her reason for abstaining be recorded in the minutes.

Any elected member may request an explanation of his/her vote be recorded in

the minutes.

I. Minutes
The Secretary of the Board or his/her designee shall keep minutes of

every meeting of the Board. The minutes shall include the date, time, place,

elected members present, elected members absent, all decisions made at open

meetings and the purpose or purposes for which closed or executive sessions

are called, all roll call votes, and a reference to reports and items discussed

when no action is taken.

Proposed and approved minutes of an open meeting of the Board are

public records open to public inspection. Copies of proposed minutes of an open

meeting shall be provided upon request to members of the public within eight

business days of the meeting and copies of approved minutes within five

business days of the meeting at which they are approved.

J. Public Participation in Meetings

All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public, with the exception of

closed or executive sessions. A person shall not be required as a condition of

attendance at a meeting to register or otherwise provide his/her name or other

information or fulfill a condition precedent to attendance. Any person shall be

permitted to address the Board under the agenda item "Comments from the

Public." He/She shall be recognized by the President, give his/her name, and the

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1180 Meetings 1180-8

issue or agenda item on which comments will be made. The Board, at its

discretion, may alter the order of business to permit communications from the

public at other times during the meeting.

In cases where individuals or groups desire to appear on the printed

agenda of the meeting for purposes of addressing the Board, a written statement

of such intention must be received by the President of the Board or the

Superintendent's office within five days prior to the date of the meeting. However,

time shall be set aside during that portion of the meeting devoted to "Comments

from the Public" to receive expressions from the public. Persons may be
excluded from attendance at open meetings for a breach of the peace committed

at the meeting.

K. Information and Study Session

The Board may devote a part of each regular or special meeting, or

schedule a study meeting, for the purpose of receiving information and

discussing matters pertaining to the District through presentations, discussing

special projects, or other matters. Such sessions shall be open to the public,

notice of such properly posted, and minutes taken.

Approved: June 6, 2005

LEGAL REF: MCL 15.261-275; 380.1201(3) (4)

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1180-R Meetings 1180-R

Procedures and Rules for Public Participation in Meetings

I. Procedures

A. Unless legally closed, all meetings of the Board shall be open to the

public; an individual is not required to register or fulfill any condition

precedent to attendance.

B. Any person may address the Board under agenda item "Comments

from the Public."

1. Individual shall be recognized by the President.

2. Individual shall state his/her name and issue or agenda item on

which comments will be made.

C. The order of business may be altered by the Board to permit

comments from the public at other times during the meeting.

D. An individual or a group wishing to appear on the printed meeting

agenda must submit a written statement of such intention to the

Board President or Superintendent's Office, which shall be received

within five days prior to the date of the meeting.

E. Persons may be excluded from attendance at open meetings for a

breach of the peace committed at the meeting.

II. Rules

A. Complaints against school personnel shall be submitted in writing

to the Board President or Superintendent at least five days prior to

a regular Board meeting. (The law provides that the person

complained against has the right to ask for a separate closed

hearing on the complaint.)

B. Individuals wishing to address the Board are encouraged to contact

the President or Superintendent prior to the meeting.

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1180-R Meetings 1180-R-2

C. Public presentation to the Board should be restricted to

approximately ten minutes. (The exact amount of time will be

determined by the Board at each meeting.)

D. Groups of more than three individuals shall choose a representative

who may address the Board.

E. Any group of more than thirty individuals is urged to give notice to

the Superintendent's Office at least five days prior to the meeting so

that a larger facility may be sought to accommodate the group.

F. The Board may decide to hold a special meeting or hearing

regarding a matter about which a large number of people wish to

address the Board.

G. Individuals who address the Board when a large group is

present/expected will be required to submit the form "Request to

Address the Lenawee Intermediate School District Board of

Education" to the President. The President will call and schedule

speakers by referring to the cards. (See item I.B. above.)

H. Public debate will not be allowed.

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1180-R Meetings 1180-R-3

REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE

LENAWEE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION
(Please print)

DATE: _____________________

RECEIVED BY: __________________________________________________

I, _____________________________, representing ______________________

(group), wish to address the Lenawee Intermediate School District Board of

Education of the following topic:

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

I understand that my remarks should be limited to a length of time established by

the Board of Education at each meeting and confined to the topic specified

above.

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1225 Duties of Board Officers 1225

President

The President shall:

A. Preside at meetings of the Board.

B. Cause an action to be prosecuted in the name of the District on the

Treasurer's bond in case of breach of a condition of the bond.

C. Perform other duties appropriate to the duties of the office of the

President.

Presiding Officer

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board. In the absence,
disability, or disqualification of the President, the Vice-President shall act instead.

If neither person is available, another officer shall be designated by a plurality of

those present to preside. The act of any person so designated shall be legal and

binding.

Vice-President (This position may be combined with the office of

Secretary)

If the Board of Education chooses to create the office of Vice-President,

the Vice-President shall:

A. Preside at meetings of the Board when the President is not able to attend.

B. Perform other duties appropriate to the duties of the office of Vice-

President as the Board determines.

C. In case of a vacancy in the office of President, succeed to the office of

President for the balance of the unexpired term.

Secretary

The Secretary shall:

A. Act as clerk at meetings of the Board.

B. Record and sign the minutes of meetings, orders, resolutions and other

proceedings of the Board in proper record books.

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1225 Duties of Board Officers 1225-2

C. Perform other duties required by law or by the Board.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall:

A. Assure the proper deposits of the funds of the District.

B. Assure the maintenance of proper books of account.

C. Account for interest received from invested school funds and credit

interest received to the appropriate fund accounts.

D. Pay out funds for the purposes specified by law, or in the case of gifts or

donations for the purpose for which the money is given or donated, on
proper orders signed by the Secretary and countersigned by the Board

President.

E. Perform other duties as the Superintendent and the Board may prescribe

in its bylaws relating to the administration of District funds.

Approved: June 6, 2005

LEGAL REF: MCL 380.613

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1230 School Attorney 1230

The Board recognizes that the increasing complexity of District operations

frequently requires professional legal services. It shall annually retain an attorney

or law firm.

A decision to seek legal advice or assistance in behalf of the District shall

normally be made by the Superintendent or designee. Such action shall occur as

it is consistent with approved District policy or standard practice and meets the

needs of the District. It may also take place because of formal Board direction.

Many types of instances of legal assistance to the District may be

considered routine and not necessitating specific Board approval. However,

when the administration concludes that unusual types or amounts of professional

legal service may be required, the Board directs the administration to advise it

and to seek, expeditiously, either initial or continuing authorization for such

service.

The performance of the school attorney shall be subject to evaluation by

the Board and the Superintendent. Appointment shall be for a one-year term.

Approved: June 2, 2003

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1235 Independent Auditor 1235

The independent auditor shall:

A. Examine the balance sheet of the District at the close of its fiscal year and

the related statements of transactions in the various funds for the fiscal

year then ended.

B. Conduct such examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing

standards and to include such tests of the accounting records and such

other auditing procedures as are necessary in the circumstances.

C. Render an opinion of the financial statements prepared at, the close of the

fiscal year.
D. Make such recommendations to the Board concerning its accounting

records, procedures and related activities as may appear necessary or

desirable.

E. Perform such other related services as may be requested by the Board.

Approved: June 2, 2003

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1240 Memberships 1240

The Board may maintain membership in the national and state school

Boards associations and Board members may take part in the activities of these

groups.

The Board may also maintain institutional memberships in other

educational organizations that the Superintendent and Board find to be of benefit

to members and District personnel.

The materials and other benefits of these memberships will be distributed

and used to the best advantage of the Board and staff.

Approved: June 2, 2003

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1245 School Board Conferences 1245

In recognition of the need for continuing in-service training and

development for its members, the Board encourages members to participate in

meetings, seminars, conferences, and activities of area, state, and national

school Boards associations, as well as in the activities of other educational

groups. Board members are encouraged to study and examine materials

received from these organizations. A Board member's actual and necessary

expenses for development opportunities shall be paid for or reimbursed in

accordance with Board of Education policy 1140, Policy on Board Member

Compensation and Expenses.

In situations where a Board member holds a state or national office in a

school Board association, or has been asked or appointed to serve a school

Board association at the state or national level, the Board shall budget for the

additional expenses as agreed to prior to the beginning of each fiscal year.

To help members develop an understanding of the educational program,

the Superintendent will request members of the professional staff to appear

before the Board from time to time to present and discuss developments in

various areas of curriculum and instruction.

The Superintendent and Board President are responsible for authorizing

requests for attendance of Board members at approved training opportunities if

the requests come within budgeted appropriations and limitations.

Approved: June 2, 2003

LEGAL REF: MCL 380.1254, 388.1764b

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1245-R School Board Conferences 1245-R

The Superintendent and Board President shall distribute a calendar of

conferences, workshops, in-service programs, seminars, and conventions, which

Board members may wish to attend. The Superintendent shall update the

calendar for Board members, as the opportunities become known.

The Superintendent is responsible for processing requests for attendance

of Board members if the requests come within budgeted appropriations and

limitations. Payment or reimbursement for expenses incurred may only be made

in accordance with Board of Education policy.

The Superintendent shall consult with the Board President in situations

where funds may not be available for specific activity or when a determination is

necessary as to who shall attend a given activity when more requests are

received than can be honored. The Board President and Superintendent may

bring recommendations to the Board on such matters for final determination.

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1248 Board Advisory Committees 1248

The Board of Education believes it is important that proposed major

changes in Intermediate District programs be systematically studied and

reviewed before implementation. Constituent school Districts should also have

the opportunity to participate in the evaluation of established ISD programs and

services. Input shall be sought from representative advisory committees.

Membership on advisory committees will vary according to the nature of

the program or service, but may include a cross section of local District staff,

local District Superintendents, parent(s)/guardian(s), local citizens, and members

of constituent Boards of Education, as well as ISD staff.

Ad hoc appointees shall be chosen by the Superintendent as needed. All

regular advisory committees and their members shall be endorsed by the Board

annually upon recommendations by the Superintendent, unless precluded by law

or regulations.

Approved: June 2, 2003

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1250 Board-Staff Communication 1250

The Board desires to maintain open channels of communication between

itself and the staff. The basic line of communication will be through the

Superintendent.

Approved: June 2, 2003

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Section 1000 – Board Bylaws and Operation
1255 Staff Communications to the Board 1255

All communications or reports to the Board or any Board committee from

all staff members shall be submitted through the Superintendent. This necessary

procedure shall not be construed as denying the right of any employee to appeal

to the Board from administrative decisions on important matters, provided that

the Superintendent shall have been notified of the forthcoming appeal and that it

is processed in accordance with the Board's policy on complaints and

grievances. Staff members are also reminded that Board meetings are public

meetings. As such, they provide an excellent opportunity to observe at first hand

the Board's deliberations on staff concerns.

Board Communications to Staff

All official communications, policies, and directives of staff interest and

concern will be communicated to staff members through the Superintendent and

the Superintendent will employ methods that are appropriate to keep staff fully

informed of the Board's problems, concerns, and actions.

Approved: June 2, 2003

Policy Manual