Sonoma School Board Takes Up Rules For Itself

SONOMA VALLEY, CA — Sonoma Valley school trustees will examine a draft handbook Tuesday that sets out who can put issues before the board, how members should handle complaints, and when an individual trustee can speak for the district.

The Sonoma Valley Unified School District board will discuss the proposed protocols during a governance workshop on Tuesday.

The agenda describes the session as a chance for trustees to clarify expectations and strengthen how they work together.

Under the draft, a trustee could secure a place for an item on a meeting agenda by submitting it to the superintendent by noon on the 11th calendar day before the meeting.

Trustees could also suggest an item during a meeting. If another trustee supports the request, the superintendent would place it on the next agenda unless more preparation time is needed.

The handbook says individual trustees cannot direct district action. A majority vote of the full board would provide direction to the superintendent. It also calls for information requested by one trustee to go to every trustee or appear on an agenda for discussion.

Trustees who receive complaints from residents or staff would refer them to the superintendent or designee.

The draft says trustees should invite complainants to return if their concerns remain unresolved. It also says members of the public could not give their speaking time to another speaker.

The protocols address visits to schools, communication with staff, and public statements.

They encourage trustees to notify the superintendent before a school visit and say statements made on behalf of the board would come from its president or another designated representative.

The board is also scheduled to meet in closed session for a performance evaluation of Superintendent Jason Sutter.

The meeting begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the district office, 17850 Railroad Ave. Members of the public may attend by Zoom or in person and may comment on agenda items.