Policies and Procedures

  1. Regular Meetings

    The Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting on the second Thursday of each month for 11 months of the year (except August), unless that day is a legal holiday or otherwise modified by Board action. In the event that the Board of Trustees is unable to meet on the regular meeting date, the chairperson of the Board may order that the meeting be rescheduled or that no regular meeting of the Board be held that month. The Board will adopt, usually during the preceding fall quarter, an annual meeting schedule which lists the date, time, and location of each meeting. Advance notice of meetings shall be given in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 42.30 RCW.

  2. Special Meetings

    A special meeting may be called at any time by the chairperson of the Board or by a majority of the members of the Board. Notice of such a special meeting will be given in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 42.30 RCW.

  3. Open and Closed Sessions

    Board meetings will generally be open to the public. However, the Board may hold executive sessions or other closed sessions in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 42.30 RCW.

  4. Board Meeting Schedule

    1. Study Session — A study session will normally be held before the regular session. During this time, reports may be given to the Board and resource people may be invited to provide detailed background information on particular items.
    2. Regular Session — The regular session will normally include the items on which the Board takes formal action.
  5. Location of Board Meetings

    Board meetings will mostly be rotated among the three colleges, the Seattle Vocational Institute and the Siegal Center. Addresses of these sites are as follows:

    North Seattle College
    9600 College Way North
    Seattle, WA 98103

    Seattle Central College
    1701 Broadway
    Seattle, WA 98122

    South Seattle College
    6000 16th Avenue SW
    Seattle, WA 98106

    Seattle Vocational Institute
    2120 South Jackson Street
    Seattle, WA 98144

    Siegal Center
    1500 Harvard
    Seattle, WA 98122

  6. Board Office

    The Board of Trustees will maintain an office at 1500 Harvard Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98122, telephone (206) 587-3872. This office will be the official location for all records, correspondence, minutes, and other materials relating to the Board. The District (Board) seal will also be kept at this office. All correspondence addressed to the Board should be sent to this address.

  7. Minutes of Board Meetings

    The minutes of all Board meetings shall be kept by the recording secretary. Proposed minutes should be read and approved by the chairperson (or acting chairperson for that meeting) prior to their being circulated to the board. Minutes shall be approved by the Board. They ordinarily will include: a record of attendance of all Board members, the chief executive officer of the District, the campus presidents, legal counsel, and advisory representatives to the Board; a summary of the discussion and action on items on the agenda; and copies of any approved resolutions.

  8. Inspection of Board Records

    Any member of the public may inspect Board records during regular working hours, in accordance with state law, District Policy 254, and Procedures 254.10 (Access to Public Records).

  9. Agenda of Board Meetings

    The regular session of Board meetings will generally follow this format, except as modified by the Board:

    1. Call to Order
    2. Roll Call
    3. Introduction of Visitors
    4. Public Comments
    5. Approval of Agenda
    6. Approval of Previous Minutes
    7. Presentation
    8. Consent Calendar
      1. Tender of Gifts
    9. Recommended Board Actions
    10. Information Items
    11. Oral Reports
    12. Executive Session (if necessary)
    13. Other Business, Announcements
    14. Adjournment
  10. Voting

    Voting shall be by voice vote unless a roll call is requested by a member of the Board. Policy changes will be voted by a roll call. The results of the roll-call votes will be recorded in the official Board minutes by showing how each trustee voted.

  11. Quorum

    Three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. No action shall be taken by less than a quorum convened at a regular or special public meeting. A majority vote, not less than three, is required for action on any matter considered by the Board.

  12. Legal Counsel

    The Board will usually have access to legal counsel, normally a representative of the state attorney general, at meetings or in the conduct of its business.

  13. Presentation of Arguments or Views of the Public

    The Board will ordinarily afford all interested persons reasonable opportunity to submit data, views, or arguments on a matter to be considered by the Board. Such submission may be either oral or in writing. The Board may provide instructions for submission of views, arguments, and data by the public, and may limit such submissions as it deems appropriate.

  14. Adjournment

    The Board may recess, suspend, or adjourn any regular or special meeting to a time and place specified in the order of adjournment. Less than a quorum may so adjourn from time to time. If all members are absent from any regular or adjourned regular meeting, the secretary of the Board may declare the meeting adjourned to a stated time and place.

  15. Board Travel Reimbursement

    Seattle College Board of Trustees shall adhere to RCW 43.03.240 and the State of Washington OFM Travel Management Requirements and Restrictions as published in Chapter 10 of State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM).

    1. When conducting the business of one board, trustees will be reimbursed according to Option 1 of Section 10.70.30(b) of SAAM.
    2. When traveling on behalf of the district, e.g. attending a conference in or out-of-state, trustees will be reimbursed based on Option 2 of Section 10.70.30(b).