BDA: Virtual Board Meetings

Policy

The Board of Education, and its committees, at the discretion of the Board Chair, may hold public meetings by means of video conference or any other similar electronic technology, rather than in person, when all of the following apply:

(1) The Board shall provide notification of virtual public meetings to the media that have requested notification of a meeting at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting by reasonable methods by which any person may determine the time, location, agenda of the meeting, and the manner by which the meeting will be conducted, except in the event of an emergency requiring immediate official action, as defined by this policy. In the event of an emergency, the Board shall immediately notify the news media that have requested notification of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting.

(2) The Board shall provide the public access to a virtual public meeting that the public would otherwise be entitled to attend, commensurate with the method in which the meeting is being conducted, including for example, livestreaming by means of the internet, television, cable, or public access channels, or by means of any other similar electronic technology. The Board ensures that the public can observe and hear the discussions and deliberations of all the members of the Board, whether the member is participating in person or electronically. Members of the Board shall have a sufficient internet or other electronic connection to allow the member to be seen and heard clearly, and shall be visible at all times.

(3) All votes taken in a virtual public meeting shall be taken by roll call vote unless there is a motion for unanimous consent, and the motion is not objected to by a member of the Board. If a vote is taken unanimously, the Board shall provide the public with information on how the members of the Board voted, including any members who abstained from voting.

(4) Any member of the Board who intends to attend a virtual public meeting by means of video conference or other similar electronic technology shall notify the Board Chair of that intent not less than 48 hours before the meeting, except in the case of an emergency meeting.

(5) The Board shall not hold, and a member of the Board shall not attend, a virtual public meeting conducted by means of video conference or other similar electronic technology if any of the following apply: (a) The meeting involves a vote to approve a major nonroutine expenditure as defined in this policy; (bi) The meeting involves a vote to approve a significant hiring decision as defined by this policy; (c) The meeting involves a purpose to propose, approve, or vote on a tax issue or tax increase; (d) Excluding expense reimbursements to members for actual expenses incurred while fulfilling their duties, the members of the Board are compensated for their position as members of the Board; (e) The members of the Board are elected by vote of the general public to their positions as members.

(6) If, upon the notification of an upcoming meeting of the Board, and not later than 48 hours before the meeting, two or more members of the Board, notify the Board Chair that an item on the agenda must be acted upon at a meeting conducted fully in person, upon the Board Chair’s acknowledgment of receipt of the notification, the Board shall take action on that item of the agenda only at a meeting conducted fully in person.

The term “virtual public meeting” means a public meeting held by means of video conference or any other similar electronic technology, rather than in person.

The term “emergency requiring immediate official action”, as defined by this policy, means a situation which, according to the Board’s reasonable discretion, necessitates the Board to meet promptly to address the situation.

The term “major nonroutine expenditure”, as defined by this policy, means an expenditure in excess of $1,000,000 that is not typically made on a recurring basis by the Board. 

The term “significant hiring decision”, as defined by this policy, means a decision by the Board to appoint the chief executive officer, or approve or renew the contract of the chief executive officer.

History

• • Adopted: June 24, 2025

Legal References

• • Ohio Revised Code Section 121.221