The Board President has blocked the request of three Trustees to call a special meeting to consider a confidence vote on the Superintendent's performance.
Of course, the Board President had no problem rushing to call a special Board meeting just a few weeks ago (Thursday, September 11, 2008 - 11:45 A.M.) to immediately take away the right of an individual Trustee to pull an item from the Board Agenda. This was leading to the vote on the revised Ethics policy. That vote was 8-1 to take away the important democratic right of each Trustee to request individual votes on Agenda items. My vote was the only opposing vote.
There is no right to reject or delay the request to suit the Board President's agenda.
Board policy BE (Local) clearly states:
Special Or Emergency MeetingsThe Board President reported to the news media that he would not call the meeting as originally requested, but it might be held whenever he decides within the next 60 days.
The President of the Board shall call a special meeting at the President's discretion or at the written request of three Board members,
It is not the Board President's decision to make. It is the decision of any three Trustees.
Otherwise, the policy is meaningless if it can simply be taken away by the unfair action of the Board President.
This is the first time I have signed a request for a special meeting since being elected to the Board. It is a policy that is very seldom used but it is there.
There is nothing in the section of the policy on Special Meetings that gives the Board President the right to block or put off calling the requested meeting.
This is an abuse of the Board President's authority - not public service. The District is not the private business of the Board President.
The Board President's violation of the rights of other elected Trustees helps to further undermine public trust and respect.
The Board needs a President who will follow Board policy and respect the rights of all Trustees.
