EGAEA
POLICY STATEMENT
School Board Electronic Communication
The Allenstown School Board will not use electronic
communications such as email, to hold discussions or to make decisions
regarding any matter over which the Board has supervision, control,
jurisdiction, or advisory power.
According to RSA 91-A, the School Board must have open and
public meetings. A meeting is defined by
the presence of a quorum and by being duly noticed (posted) as a meeting. Only during such a meeting may discussion or
action occur upon a matter or matters over which the Board has supervision,
control, jurisdiction or advisory power.
Personal one-on-one communication by direct voice, telephone or
email is generally considered private and not subject to the “Right-to-Know”
law. However, it would be inconsistent
with RSA 91-A to engage in a series of personal discussions on the same topic among
several Board members if the total number of Board members participating would
constitute a quorum. This series of
discussions would technically be considered a meeting subject to the
Right-to-Know law.
Electronic communications may be used to facilitate and enhance
the meeting process. Information may be
disseminated to each Board member electronically without discussion. Meeting schedules and agendas may be set and
disseminated. Polled decisions upon
which no Board discussion is deemed necessary and which are subsequently
disclosed and voted upon at a posted meeting are permissible.
Retention of electronic communication shall be in accordance
with the district’s Records Retention Policy.
APPROVED: August, 2005