(Limited to Special Board Meeting Agenda Items Only)
ISSUE:
Should the Board of Education approve Resolution #21/22-17 authorizing electronic meetings of the Governing Board during a state of emergency pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(E)?
INFORMATION:
In March 2020, the Governor issued an Executive Order suspending provisions of the Brown Act and allowing meetings of the governing board to be held telephonically or otherwise electronically. This authority had been extended to September 30, 2021. Recently, the Governor signed Assembly Bill No. 361 which amends the Brown Act to continue to allow telephonic or electronic meetings beyond September 30. In allowing electronic meetings, AB 361 also protects the rights of the public by requiring electronic means for members of the public to observe and provide comment in real time.
The governing board may only hold electronic meetings under AB 361 if there is a proclaimed state of emergency and either social distancing is recommended/required or the governing board determines that as a result of the emergency, meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees. The March 2020 state of emergency is still in effect, and while social distancing is not necessarily recommended or required by state or local officials at this time, it is clear that both unvaccinated and vaccinated persons remain at risk of exposure or transmission of the virus. Accordingly, the governing board may hold meetings pursuant to AB 361 after determining that as a result of the emergency, meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees.
The resolution would make the determination necessary to invoke AB 361 and would allow the governing board to meet electronically for the next 30 days. In order to continue to meet electronically beyond that time, the Board would need to re-affirm that the emergency continues to directly impact the ability of members to meet safely in person.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
Respectfully submitted,
Mark W. McLaughlin, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Prepared by,
Mark W. McLaughlin, Ed.D.
Superintendent
MWM:sf
FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS
October 5, 2021
5:00 p.m. Closed Session
6:00 p.m. Open Session
Location: Conejo Valley High School (CVUSD Board Room), 1402 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks
For a copy of this agenda and additional information, please visit the CVUSD website.
Internet Home Page: www.conejousd.org/
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
In compliance with the ADA, if you need special assistance, including assisted listening devices, to participate in this meeting or other services in conjunction with this meeting, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at (805) 497-9511 ext. 1101. Upon request, the agenda and documents in this agenda packet can be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting or time when services are needed will assist our staff in assuring reasonable arrangements can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting or service.