A B C D E F G H I J K L

All motions will be recorded in the minutes, including the name of the person seconding any motion and the record of the vote. Minimally, the number of “yea” and “nay” votes on any question shall be recorded in the minutes unless a roll call vote is required by law. When a member abstains from voting, such abstention shall not be counted as a vote either for or against the proposal, but shall be entered in the minutes as an abstention. The president shall have a vote on all questions.

Any member upon request may have a brief explanation of his or her vote recorded on any question. Any member may also change his or her vote if such request is made prior to consideration of the next order of business.

Motions pass with an affirmative vote from the majority of the quorum present at the meeting, unless otherwise prescribed by law. A majority of the Board must vote to enter into a contract, employ a person, approve a bill or issue a warrant.

Voting in Open Session

Voting in open session must be conducted in a manner that allows the public attending the meeting to observe how each person voted and in a manner that allows the Board secretary to accurately discern and record the number of persons voting for or against the motion as well as the persons abstaining from the motion.

The Board may decide to vote by roll call in open session. When an open public vote is not to be taken by roll call, any member may request that the Board be polled on any issue requiring a vote. When voting to adjourn to closed session, the specific reason for closing the meeting must be announced publicly by reference to a specific section of the law, and the vote must be taken by roll call.

In the event a motion is made to close a meeting, record or vote and a Board member believes that the motion, if passed, would violate the Missouri Sunshine law, the Board member may state his or her objection to the motion before or at the time the vote is taken. The Board secretary will enter the objection in the minutes. Once the objection has been made the Board member shall be allowed to fully participate in the meeting, record or vote even if it is closed over the member’s objection. If the Board member voted against the motion to close the meeting, record or vote, the recorded objection and the vote is an absolute defense to any claim filed against the Board member pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law.

Voting in Closed Session

All votes taken in closed session shall be taken by roll call, including the vote to adjourn.

Voting Electronically

The Board may allow members to participate in meetings by telephone or other electronic means. Board members may not simply vote electronically, but must be connected with the meeting throughout the discussion of business. If a Board member electronically joins the meeting after an item of business has been opened, the remotely located member shall not participate until the next item of business is opened.

Board members participating electronically cannot cast roll call votes unless a district emergency exists and a quorum of the Board is physically present at the meeting. If such an emergency exists, the nature of the district emergency shall be stated in the minutes. Board members participating electronically may cast votes other than roll call votes.

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Adopted:       10/14/1993

Revised:        01/14/1999; 11/11/2004

Legal Refs:    §§ 162.301, .303, 610.010(7), .015, .020, .022, RSMo.

St. Charles School District, St. Charles, Missouri

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