Committee debates whether board president can appoint replacements or interviews must be required

The Policy & Curriculum Committee discussed proposed language for Policy 004 on board vacancies and membership at its May 4 meeting. Members disagreed over whether to retain an "or" that allows the board president to nominate a replacement without interviews, or to require an application/interview process.

A committee member (S5) supported preserving the president’s ability to nominate, saying the policy should allow the president "to make a motion to elect a candidate to fill the vacant board position." Administration (S1) and others pushed for clearer timing and for explicit references to statutory qualifications, noting applications and interviews give the full board more information about candidate interest and qualifications.

Participants suggested placing the optional nomination path after a series of steps (applications, interviews) and clarifying time limits for each step. Committee members asked administration to revise the draft to make the order and timing clearer and to include language that references school‑code qualification requirements before the item goes to the full board for a vote.