School board member seeks to change president’s role

PALMER — Sometimes a board president should be seen and not heard.

That’s the idea behind an effort by Mat-Su Borough School District Board of Education Member Jim Colver, who wants to redefine the scope of a school board president’s responsibilities.

Colver wants to revisit the board’s standing policy that allows its president to join in debate of an issue without handing off the gavel to the vice president. His motion will be discussed by the school board at its regular meeting on Wednesday.

New board president Sarah Welton said the only recent change to the board’s standing rules was adding the board vice president to those setting the school board’s agendas. The board had a policy against the president participating in debate, but Welton said that changed under former board president Larry DeVilbiss.

Welton said a wider policy change may need to be discussed as part of a future agenda. The standing rules the group follows, Robert’s Rules of Order, can be amended by a board vote.

Colver said his concern has nothing to do with Welton being the new president.

“I do have confidence in Sarah Welton to run a good meeting,” Colver said. He is concerned there is a conflict with Robert’s Rules of Order on this issue.

Colver believes the chair’s duty is to maintain order and restate motions before the board, not to wade into debate on issues before a legislative body.

Borough Clerk Michelle McGehee and the Borough’s attorneys were out of the office Monday and could not be reached for comment. Either the clerk or the attorneys could be called upon by the school board to resolve issues of parliamentary procedure.

Former school board president De Vilbiss said the school board is a small group and members are elected to serve their districts, not to simply run meetings. Robert’s Rules of Order apply; those can be amended. Should the board president simply run meetings and not engage in debate that person is not being a voice for his or her district.

“On small boards even Robert’s is pretty flexible on that,” said DeVilbiss, a 12-year board veteran before being upset in last month’s school board election.

The school board meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Upper Library of Palmer High School.

Contact John R. Moses at john.moses@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.