1355 -RULES OF ORDER
To the extent not provided for in the attached procedures and to the extent that the reference does not conflict with the spirit of these rules, the Board shall refer to Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, to answer procedural questions.
1355.1 Call to Order
The Board of Education chairperson shall open the meeting with a call to order statement. A sample copy is available in the Board of Education office.
1355.2 Action by Motion
The board shall proceed by motion. Anyone, not serving as the chairperson may make a motion. A motion shall require a second. A member may make only one motion at a time. A substantive motion is out of order while another substantive motion is pending. A motion shall be adopted by a majority of the votes cast, a quorum being present, unless otherwise required by these rules or the laws of North Carolina. Voting shall be by voice.
1355.3 Quorum
A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum. If it appears that a quorum cannot be present at any meeting, the chairperson may postpone the meeting until such time as a quorum can be present. A majority vote of the quorum may pass a resolution.
1355.4 Debate
The chairperson shall state the motion and then open the floor to debate it. The chairperson shall preside over the debate according to the following general principles:
(1) The introducer (the member who makes the motion) is entitled to speak first.
(2) A member who has not spoken on the issue shall be recognized before someone who has already spoken.
(3) To the extent possible, the debate shall alternate between opponents and proponents of the measure.
1355.5 Procedural Motions
In addition to substantive proposals, the following procedural motions shall be in order. Unless otherwise noted, each motion is debatable, may be amended, and requires a majority vote for adoption.
(1) To adjourn – The motion may be made only when action on a pending matter concludes; it may not interrupt deliberation of a pending matter.
(2) To take a recess
(3) Call to follow the agenda – The motion must be made at the first reasonable opportunity or it is waived.
(4) To suspend the rules
(5) To divide a complex motion and consider it by paragraph
(6) To defer consideration
(7) Call of the previous question
(8) To postpone to a certain time or day
(9) To amend – An amendment to a motion must be pertinent to the subject matter of the motion, but it may achieve the opposite of the motion’s intent. The motion may be amended and an amendment may be amended, but no further amendments may be made.
(10) To revive consideration – The motion is in order any time (100) days after a vote to defer consideration. A substantive motion which has been deferred expires 100 days thereafter unless a motion to revive consideration is adopted.
(11) To reconsider – The motion must be made by a member who voted with the prevailing side. It must be made at the same meeting as the vote was taken. It cannot interrupt deliberation on a pending matter but is in order at any time before actual adjournment.
(12) To rescind or repeal
(13) To ratify
(14) To prevent reconsideration for six months - The motion is in order immediately following the defeat of a substantive motion and at no other time. For adoption the motion requires a vote equal to the number required for a quorum. It is valid for six months or until a new board member is appointed, whichever occurs first.
1355.5 Renewal of Motion
A motion that is defeated may be renewed at any subsequent meeting unless a motion to prevent reconsideration has been adopted.
1355.6 Withdrawal of Motion
A motion may be withdrawn by the introducer at any time before a vote.
Cross Reference Policies: 1231, 1300
Legal Reference: G.S. 115C-36
Adopted: July 2, 1992
Revised Effective: July 1, 1999
Revised Effective: January 24, 2008
