On Monday February 28, our Governance Committee recommended approval of the Appleton Bilingual School Bylaws, by a vote of 3-0, to be sent to the full board for action. It had been my intent for the ABS Board to adopt these bylaws at its March meeting. After learning from Bill that we are under no immediate pressure to have them adopted, this is what I propose: I will highlight some of the important and the unique features of what our Governance Committee drafted on this page. I’d ask that you read and think about what is below and come to Wednesday’s meeting with any questions and concerns. At Wednesday’s meeting, you’ll be provided with the actual 12+ pages of bylaws. I’ll ask for a motion to hold the item until our April meeting. That way, you’ll have a month to read them from start to finish, and you can suggest edits and amendments at the April meeting when we take a vote on them. - Kole
BOARD MEMBERSHIP: 11 voting members + up to 9 “at-large” members. ABS Administrator is ex officio member of board and each committee, but can’t vote or make motions. We borrowed the idea of at-large membership from the Fox River Academy. Atlarge members will attend board meetings, participate in discussions, serve on committees, but they won’t have a vote, they can’t make motions, and their children don’t automatically get into the school. In order to become a voting member, you must serve as an at-large member for at least six months (this could be waived if necessary). The idea behind this is that [1] someone could get a taste of what it means to be involved on the board, before making the commitment of being a voting member, and [2] we need to find a way to involve people who want to help ABS but for whom there’s no room on the board.
BOARD TERMS: Will be one year, to end each year at the annual meeting.
OFFICER TERMS: Will be one year. No limit on terms in office.
VOTING: 3/5 majority vote (of total board membership, not just those present) required to
- Remove member from the board
- Remove officer from office
- Amend the bylaws
REMOVAL FROM BOARD/OFFICE: to remove someone from the board or from office, you must notify the board president at least 14 days ahead of following meeting. The board president will then notify the person in question, and the “motion to remove” will be placed on the agenda. If the president is removed from office, vice-president takes over. If vice president, secretary, or treasurer are removed, board must nominate new officer at same meeting. Two separate motions needed to remove someone from office + board.
E-MAIL VOTING: will occur for time-sensitive business that can’t wait for next meeting, will require at least 48 hours of discussion + 48 hours to submit vote. Cannot occur on any action requiring a 3/5 majority vote.
MEETINGS: Annual meeting first weekend in August + Regular monthly meetings. Special meetings called by board president or request of majority of the board. Committee meetings called by committee chairs.
