When Clint Mitchell was the Superintendent of Colonial Beach Public Schools, he witnessed from afar the dysfunction of the Spotsylvania County School Board.
Mitchell, who was hired to replace former Superintendent Mark Taylor in June, began his tenure Aug. 1.
Before Mitchell officially came aboard, he described school board governance as one of his highest priorities, citing how a once-disjointed board in Colonial Beach united under his leadership.
Mitchell wasted no time in moving forward in his mission to improve how the Spotsylvania board functions.
On Monday, he brought in Jason Morgan of JVM Parliamentary Services to give an approximately 90-minute presentation on board governance during a work session held before the meeting.
Mitchell said after Morgan’s presentation that the next step is for Spotsylvania to establish and create a governance manual. The one he implemented in Colonial Beach was based on a manual from Fairfax County Public Schools, where he previously served as a principal.
Mitchell also said that Morgan will return in early 2025 — after viewing Spotsylvania’s remaining meetings through December — so that he can develop a plan specifically catered to the needs of this board.
“Based on what I heard tonight from the parliamentarian, we need to add a few things in that governance manual in regards to how we conduct business when we are here with the public,” Mitchell said.
Morgan highlighted several practices in Roberts Rules of Order — the set of rules that helps ensure fair and orderly meetings — that the school board does not always follow.
His presentation noted that, in rules of debate or discussion, the member wanting to speak should seek recognition from the chair, and one person should talk at a time. He also said time limits should be followed; speakers should only address a matter twice at the most, the chair should alternate between supporters and opponents of a topic and remain impartial. They should have another member preside over the conversation if they wish to engage in significant debate.
The discussion should also be relevant; board members should speak to or through the chair; and they should assume positive intent and not attack the motivations of fellow representatives. Board members should refrain from speaking adversely on a prior action that is not pending and not disrupt proceedings.
“If there is a consistent practice of not following the rules of decorum that impede the meetings, what would your suggestion be to try to allay those behaviors from happening during the meeting or curb those behaviors?” Vice Chair Nicole Cole asked Morgan.
Morgan said there are consequences that can be enforced on board members who do not follow rules on decorum and other aspects of the meeting.
He said a “gentle reminder” at the beginning of the meeting that the rules are enforceable would help. He said, for example, that calling someone a liar is a violation because “you’re not supposed to attack another member like that even if they say something false.”
Morgan said an example of enforcement would be the rest of the board deciding a member cannot speak the remainder of the meeting. He advised, however, that they consult with legal representation before taking a step that drastic.
Five board members attended the work session in person. Lee Hill District representative Lisa Phelps was available by telephone. Berkeley District board member April Gillespie was not present.
Morgan asked the members to outline their goals for board governance, and they provided answers such as respectfulness, productivity and efficiency, making decisions in the best interest of the students, constructive debates with a purpose and setting policy and tone so that division employees can work to the best of their abilities.
The rules are necessary, added Morgan, because most adults have not developed much since their teenage years.
“There is a lot that doesn’t change from that time,” he said. “Having some structure and having some well-thought-out rules that … provide a nice balance between the majority’s ride to decide and the minority’s right to be heard [is important].”
