2023 Resolution Tool Kit
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (click to jump)
Introduction
The resolutions process is an opportunity for members of the Vermont School Boards Association (VSBA) to establish the positions and beliefs of the organization. This annual process directs VSBA’s advocacy efforts through the proposal of new positions and the continuation or discontinuation of those set to expire. Only school boards that are members of VSBA and VSBA’s Resolutions Committee may submit resolutions for consideration. Proposed resolutions, once adopted, may direct VSBA to advocate either for or against a wide variety of legislative and regulatory issues at both the state and federal levels.
VSBA Bylaws Addressing Resolutions
According to VSBA Bylaws, resolutions are "positions taken by the Association on issues of importance to Vermont school boards. They may include recommendations for action by the VSBA, local school boards, the Legislature, the Executive Branch. . . or any other decision-making bodies." Resolutions shall be in effect until the next annual meeting when they may be deleted, continued, or amended by vote of the membership.
This Resolution Kit is intended to provide a clear and helpful guide for crafting and submitting proposed resolutions. A member board may submit its own proposal for resolutions and/or proposed resolution amendment for consideration on any topic. If your board is considering the submission of a proposed resolution, please review current resolutions on the VSBA website.
All proposed resolutions and amendments must be received by June 15th to be considered by the Resolutions Committee. All resolutions submitted by individual member boards will be submitted to the members at VSBA’s annual meeting, regardless of the recommendation of the Resolutions Committee or the VSBA Board. Resolutions adopted at the Annual Business Meeting become official position statements of VSBA and remain active for a period of time set forth in the VSBA bylaws. Failure to adopt a resolution does not set a VSBA position or repeal an existing position.
The Resolutions Committee will assemble in April-May and will meet between June 16th through the end of July to review and consider all proposed resolutions and amendments submitted by member boards and the VSBA Resolutions Committee. At this time the committee will make one of three recommendations on each resolution:
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Pass
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Do Not Pass
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Take No Position
Each proposed resolution shall be voted as a “resolution” or “continuing resolution.” Continuing resolutions shall be statements of association policy which are of an ongoing or permanent nature and shall be in effect until amended at a subsequent annual meeting of the association. Resolutions shall be statements of specific positions on behalf of the association and shall be in effect until the next annual meeting when they may be deleted, continued or amended by vote of the membership.
A report of the Resolution Committee will be submitted to the VSBA Board of Directors in August. The Board of Directors will vote on their recommendation of each proposed resolution, using the same three options. A board report will be shared with all member boards and delegates will vote at the VSBA Annual Business Meeting in October or November. Regardless of the recommendations made by the Resolutions Committee and the VSBA Board, all resolutions and amendments will be presented to the voting delegates to vote on a final position.
Article XVI of the VSBA bylaws outlines the requirements for presenting other resolutions and amendments to resolutions at the annual meeting (please see appendix for more information).
Article X of the VSBA Bylaws states, that as a committee of the board of directors, the Resolutions Committee will “(consist) of the vice-president, who shall serve as chair, and one representative from each region. This committee will solicit and recommend positions to the board of directors for action by membership at the association's annual meeting.”
The 2023 Resolutions Committee includes:
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Flor Diaz Smith, Central Vermont Region, Committee Chair
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Martine Gulick, Western Chittenden Region
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Marc Clough, Kingdom South Region
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Colleen MacKinnon, Eastern Chittenden Region
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Suzanne Buck, Addison Region
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Gaston Bathalon, Kingdom North Region
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Marc Schauber, Windham Region
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Michael Inners, Franklin/Grand Isle Region
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Jim Salsgiver, Bennington Region
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Adrienne Raymond, Rutland Region
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Nancy Russell, Windsor Region
2022-2023 Resolutions and Continuing Resolutions
Other than continuing resolutions, resolutions are in effect until the next annual meeting when they may be deleted, continued or amended by vote of the membership. The following resolutions will no longer be in effect unless they are deleted, continued, or amended by vote of the membership:
I. GOVERNANCE, LOCAL AND STATE
L. TIMELY AND RELIABLE INFORMATION & IMPLEMENTATION
M. MONITOR OUTCOMES FROM ACT 46 GOALS
O. GOVERNANCE OF CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) SCHOOLS
P. AUSTRALIAN BALLOT FOR DISTRICT VOTES
II. FINANCE
E. COMMON LEVEL OF APPRAISAL
F. REFORM THE EDUCATION TAX SYSTEM
O. FAIRLY DISTRIBUTED PRE-EXISTING DEBT
P. BROADBAND ACCESS FOR EDUCATION
T. SHARED SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCIAL SOFTWARE SYSTEM
U. EDUCATION FINANCE
III. INSTRUCTION
J. SCHOOL STABILIZATION: STUDENT MOBILITY AND RESILIENCE
2023 Key Dates
Formulating Resolutions
A well-crafted resolution provides VSBA with a clearly stated goal while providing flexibility to advocate for school boards’ positions and pursue solutions that meet member needs. Before drafting a resolution, determine whether there is currently a position that addresses your issue by reviewing the VSBA 2022-2023 Resolutions. Current positions should not be repeated. Proposed changes to positions should be addressed through the resolutions process.
Tips for drafting a resolution (see sample resolution):
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Statewide Significance: Resolutions should be broad in scope. They should have a statewide impact or at least be relevant to most school boards in Vermont. VSBA is a statewide organization and its positions should represent all member boards. Explain the rationale of your resolution or resolution amendment with “Whereas” statement(s) and explain the statewide significance of the issue. Your rationale should be concise and persuasive in support of the resolution.
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Single Resolved Clause: Your resolution or resolution amendment should include a single “resolved” clause.
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The “resolved” clause is what delegates actually vote upon. Delegates are not voting on the wording of the rationale. Instead, the rationale is intended to support the “resolved” clause, which is your resolution.
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If you have more than one issue, submit more than one resolution or amendment.
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Clear Call to Action: Specify what action you are calling for VSBA to take, e.g., to support or oppose a specific issue. Resolutions should be worded broadly enough to provide VSBA the latitude to achieve the resolution’s goal.
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Timely and Responsive: Proposed resolutions should be responsive to current events and issues. Please consider contacting VSBA’s Director of Public Policy to aid in the drafting of your resolution.
Submitting Proposed Resolutions
Required Steps:
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All proposed resolutions or amendments must be submitted using the Submission Form.
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If any portion of the proposed resolution or amendment or rationale exceeds the space provided, please email any remaining information to klamb@vtvsba.org.
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A confirmation email regarding the receipt of your proposed resolution or amendment will be sent to you upon submission confirming your submission. If you do not receive one, please contact Kerri Lamb directly at klamb@vtvsba.org.
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Designate one contact person who has the authority to modify the resolution or amendment in consultation with the Resolutions Committee.
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The designated contact person must be available during the Resolutions Committee meeting in late June-July to respond to any committee member’s questions regarding the proposed resolution. This person should not be a member of the Resolutions Committee. Include the name of the contact person, email address, and a daytime telephone number when submitting the resolution.
All proposed resolutions and amendments submissions must be
received by 5 p.m. on June 15, 2023 - CLICK HERE to submit a proposal.
We encourage you to submit your proposed resolution or amendment as early as possible. This allows VSBA staff to review the materials, contact you for clarifications, and answer any questions you might have.
Appendix
VSBA Staff
Sue Ceglowski, Executive Director
Kerri Lamb, Director of Operations
Sandra Cameron, Associate Executive Director
Debbie Singiser, Director of Board Services
Cara Zimmerman, Director of Policy Services and Legislative Affairs
Excerpt from 2022-2023 VSBA Bylaws
ARTICLE XVI. RESOLUTIONS Resolutions are positions taken by the association on issues of importance to Vermont school boards. They may include recommendations for action by the VSBA, local school boards, the Legislature, the Executive Branch of Vermont government, or other decision making bodies. The process for submitting and approving resolutions is as follows:
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The president shall supply ample notice to the membership requesting that proposed resolutions be submitted to the chair of the resolutions committee no later than three (3) months before the annual meeting.
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The resolutions committee shall meet prior to the annual meeting to consider all proposed resolutions it has received. The committee shall make a recommendation to "Pass" or "Do Not Pass" each resolution submitted by a member school board. In the alternative, the committee may submit a proposed resolution to the annual meeting with the statement that it “Takes No Position” on the proposal. All resolutions from member boards submitted to the resolutions committee as prescribed in paragraph A above, regardless of the position of the committee or the board, shall be placed by the board before the membership at the annual meeting. The committee may develop its own resolutions, which shall be included in its report to the board of directors, and, if approved by the board, shall be presented to the annual meeting as recommendations of the board. The committee shall prepare a report of resolutions and its recommendations which shall be presented to the board of directors. Each member board shall be notified of the recommendations made by the board of directors at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting.
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Other resolutions may be presented at the annual meeting, provided they are in writing with sufficient copies for voting delegates and 60% of the voting delegates present at the beginning of the meeting are in attendance for consideration of such resolutions. A majority of the voting delegates present must approve a motion to allow the resolution to be introduced for discussion.
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Amendments to resolutions must also be in writing and if the amendment is detailed in nature, sufficient copies for voting delegates shall be furnished.
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When passed by sixty percent (60%) of the voting delegates, a resolution shall become a position or statement of the association. Each position shall be voted as a resolution or continuing resolution. Continuing resolutions shall be statements of association policy which are of an ongoing or permanent nature and shall be in effect until amended at a subsequent annual meeting of the association. Resolutions shall be statements of specific positions on behalf of the association and shall be in effect until the next annual meeting when they may be deleted, continued or amended by vote of the membership.
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When a position has not been taken at the annual meeting, the board of directors may take a position on the question as a result of a vote of 60% of the members of the board present and voting at a regular or special meeting of the board. Notice of the discussion of any such position by the board shall be placed on the agenda prior to the meeting.
Questions about the VSBA’s resolutions should be directed to Sandra Cameron at scameron@vtvsba.org.