As part of its continued focus to provide resources to school board presidents, the New Jersey School Boards Association will be answering questions through its monthly Board President’s Corner column. This month’s question is below. Submit your question and you may see it featured next time.
Question: When is a recorded roll call vote required? Can you give specific examples?
The type of votes required for school boards in New Jersey is dictated by statute according to the topic of the matter being voted upon. NJSBA has a helpful cheat sheet available to guide board members on when recorded roll call votes are required by law. Some examples include:
- Appointing and fixing the term of a superintendent of schools (N.J.S.A. 18A:17-15).
- Appointing or removing an assistant superintendent of schools (N.J.S.A. 18A:17-16).
- Transferring a teaching staff member (N.J.S.A. 18A:25-1).
- Appointing a teaching staff member (N.J.S.A. 18A:27-1).
- Appointing, transferring, removing or renewing the employment contract of a certificated or non-certificated officer or employee (N.J.S.A. 18A:27-4.1).
- Withholding, for inefficiency or other good cause, a prescribed employment or adjustment increment (N.J.S.A. 18A:29-14).
- Adopting or altering a course of study (N.J.S.A. 18A:33-1).
Please be mindful that where a recorded roll call vote is required by statute, it is required and not just a best practice or a suggestion. Additionally, board policies cannot remove the voting requirement that is in statute. If board members have questions about what type of vote is required, they should seek the advice of the board attorney.