Kalember takes the gavel on Oak Park’s Board of Education

Last week at the Oak Park Unified School District board meeting, a new president was appointed. Jim Kalember, former vice president, took Jan Iceland’s chair. Linda Seaman, who served recently as clerk, took over the vice presidency and boardmember Cindy Vinson became clerk.

As president of the board, Kalember shall:

• Sign all instruments, acts and orders necessary to carry out state requirements and the will of the board;

•Consult with the superintendent of the board’s agendas;

•Appoint all committees, subject to board approval;

•Call such meetings of the Board, as he may deem necessary, giving notice as prescribed by law;

•Confer with the superintendent on crucial matters, which may occur between board meetings;

•Be responsible for the orderly conduct of all board meetings;

As presiding officer at all meetings of the board, the president shall:

•Call the meeting to order at the appointed time;

•Announce the business to come before the board in its’ proper order;

•Enforce the board’s policies relating to the order of business and the conduct of meetings;

•Recognize persons who desire to speak and protect the speaker who has the floor from disturbance or interference;

•Explain what the effect of a motion would be if it is not clear to every member;

•Restrict discussions to the question when a motion is before the board;

•Answer all parliamentary inquiries, referring questions of law to the board attorney;

•Put motions to a vote, stating definitely and clearly the vote and result thereof.

The president shall have all the rights of any member of the board, including the right to move, second, discuss and vote on any and all questions before the board.

The president as well as all other officers of the board, shall be elected at annual organizational meetings by a majority vote from all members of the governing board.

After all officers are elected, the board adopts a calendar of meetings for the year, stipulating the time and place.

For more information about the new board of education in Oak Park, call Oak Park Unified School District at (818) 735-3200.

––Michael Picarella