Each month reporters from the Sedalia Democrat attend the board meetings of the Sedalia School District 200 and State Fair Community College.
An advance story is published, typically the day of the meeting, to provide Democrat readers information about what the Sedalia 200 Board of Education will discuss at its meetings.
While open to the public, rarely do community members attend these meetings, which seems to be the case at most area school board meetings the Democrat covers.
Most school districts have adopted policies for allowing guests to address the board of education.
The policy of Sedalia 200 states, “Comments from the audience are welcome at the time a particular agenda item is being discussed. Please, however, approach the podium, be recognized by the presiding officer, and introduce yourself for the record.”
Posted on the board agenda, the board president, or the presiding officer, welcomes all visitors to the meeting and explains the policy to those in attendance.
In most districts, patrons will be given a set amount of time, typically between three to five minutes, to address the board concerning an agenda item.
Questions and concerns directed to the board may not always be responded to immediately; often boards will table a vote for further discussion and investigation of the matter.
Legal issues regarding meetings
The Sunshine Law (Chapter 610.010 to 610.028 RSMo) addresses legal issues that pertain to governmental bodies and meetings.
There are two types of meetings boards may host — open and closed session.
Open, as the name implies, can be attended by the public. In most cases, although there are rare exceptions, closed sessions are limited only to board members.
According to information on the Missouri Attorney General’s website, “Section 610.020.1 RSMo requires public governmental bodies to post a notice and a tentative agenda for each meeting, and that the agenda be constructed in a manner reasonably calculated to advise the public of the matters to be considered.
“Further, 610.020.2 RSMo requires that this notice be posted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. However, 610.020 RSMo includes an exception that, if for good cause, 24 hours’ notice is impossible or impractical, the public governmental body shall give as much notice as possible.”
The nature of the good cause justifying the departure from normal requirements shall be stated in the minutes as well, according to the statute.
Motions to close a meeting must be voted on during an open session with a roll call vote.
Typically boards will enter closed sessions for the following matters:
• The lease purchase or sale of real estate.
• Pending legal actions, or litigation.
• Hiring, firing, discipline, or promotion of personnel.
• Discussion of specific student-related matters.
• Discussion of protected records.
The law also states that minutes of open meetings must be made available to the public within three business days of the meeting.
Minutes of closed sessions may only be obtained through written requests and may only be made available 72 business hours after the adjournment of the meeting.
Board members are bound not to disclose the details or discussions or minutes of a closed session.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law created to protect the privacy of students educational records.
FERPA gives parents access to the educational records of their child, but it does not allow them access to the records of another child. This includes how one child may be disciplined in regards to situations involving their own child.
How to request to be placed on a board agenda
Posted board agendas in the Sedalia 200 are prepared by the superintendent in consultation with the board president.
Patrons may request to be placed on the agenda of Sedalia 200 board meetings. Those requests must be made in writing to the superintendent at least five days before a scheduled meeting.
Once the request is received the superintendent and board president will determine if the request will become an agenda item.
What parents can do to become more involved
StopBullying.gov recommends the following steps for parents to keep informed about school policies and events:
• Read class newsletters and school flyers. Discuss them with your students at home.
• Check the school website.
• Attend school events.
• Meet teachers and counselors at “Back to School Nights” or reach out by email.
• Meet your child’s bus driver.
Most district websites contain board policies, minutes of open board meetings and other pertinent information for parent and guardian access.
