Official actions may be taken only at a regular monthly or specially called meeting at which a quorum is present. All motions shall require for adoption a majority vote of those present and voting (minimally, a majority of the quorum), except as provided by code or statute.

A vote can be conducted by voice, show of hands or roll call, provided that the vote of each member is recorded, except where a recorded roll call majority is required by code or statute. Proxy voting is prohibited. Any member may request that the board be polled.

Abstentions

A member may abstain from voting. An abstention shall be so recorded and shall not be counted as either an affirmative or a negative vote. Abstentions are to be so recorded, regardless of whether a person speaks for or against a motion prior to stating his/her wish to abstain. The silence of a member on any vote shall be recorded as an abstention.

Adopted: July 1998
NJSBA Review/Update: January 2009, November 2017
Readopted: January 21, 2009
Reviewed:

Key Words

Voting Method, Abstentions

Legal References: N.J.S.A. 18A:38-8.1 Additional member on board of education to represent board of education in each sending district

Aurentz v. Little Egg Harbor Township Planning Board, 171 N.J. Super. (Law Div.1979)

King v. Asbury Park Board of Education, 1939 49 S.L.D. 20

Matawan Teachers’ Assn. v. Board of Education, 223 N.J. Super. 504 (App. Div. 1988)

Lincoln Park Bd. of Ed. v. Boonton Bd. of Ed., 97 N.J.A.R. 2d (EDU) _ (May 30)

Little Ferry Bd. of Ed. v. Ridgefield Park Bd. of Ed., 97 N.J.A.R. 2d (EDU) _ (July 24)

Green Twp. Bd. of Ed. v. Newton Bd. of Ed., 97 N.J.A.R. 2d (EDU) __ (August 5)

Possible
Cross References: *1120 Board of education meetings
*3570 District records and reports
*9121 Election and duties of president
*9271 Code of ethics
*9322 Public and executive sessions
*9323/9324 Agenda preparation/advance delivery of meeting material
*9326 Minutes

*Indicates policy is included in the Critical Policy Reference Manual.