Typical duties of the board chair:
- Presiding at all meetings of the board and performing all duties imposed by board policy BCB, ORS 255.335, and ORS 332.040-057, as well as duties proscribed by board policies, rules and regulations;
- Assisting the superintendent in planning the board’s agendas;
- Representing the district and the board at official functions, except when this responsibility is delegated to others;
- Being responsible for the orderly conduct of all board meetings;
- Calling special meetings when required;
- Appointing all committees and serving as an ex-officio member of those committees, unless otherwise ordered by the board;
- Keeping the vice-chair informed on all pertinent matters in case the chair is absent;
- Acting as a resource to the superintendent on decisions that may require further information between board meetings;
- Signing the minutes and other official documents that require the signature of the chair;
- Assuming other duties authorized by the board.
The chair is still a board member
- As an elected official, you are expected to participate in board actions; as the board’s leader, you do not dominate the discussion or force an opinion on the board.
- The chair may make motions and does not have to leave the chair to participate in discussions. OSBA recommends that the chair use this authority to make motions sparingly.
- The chair, like all board members, is expected to vote on a motion, provided there is no conflict of interest. Oregon’s Public Meetings Law requires that the vote of each board member be recorded by name in the minutes.
Meetings must comply with the law
The board chair should understand and enforce the rules for public meetings outlined in Oregon’s Public Meetings Law and other Oregon statutes that apply to public meetings of the board.
- Give appropriate meeting notices.
- Hold meetings within district boundaries.
- Hold meetings in a location accessible to the public.
- Conduct the board’s business at public meetings.
- Provide written minutes for board meetings; make them available to the public. (Except executive session minutes, which are not available for public review.)
