I had to do a double-take when I read this, but yeah, this happened! Only five members of the Prestige Academy 12 person school board were present at their December 15th, 2014 meeting. In order to have a quorum to vote on anything at a board meeting, a majority of board members have to be present.
According to their own bylaws:
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS OF THE BOARD
Section 1. Compliance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
The Board shall conduct its meetings as if it were a “public body” as defined in 29 Del. Code § 10002(a), and according to the requirements of Chapter 100 of said Title 29 (the “Act”). In addition to the published notices required by the Act, notices of each meeting of the Board shall be forwarded to its members by any method that preserves proof of such notice.
Section 2. Quorum.
A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board shall consist of at least one-half the voting Directors then serving, except as may otherwise be required by law.
*Bolded for emphasis on my part
So there you have it, as per their own by-laws. So what happened at their December 15th board meeting? Aside from the fact that it was at a bar (which was in the agenda believe it or not), Buckley’s Tavern, they did indeed vote on items as per their own board minutes. But what if a student wanted to come to give public comment? Would they be able to do that without a parent present at a bar? This didn’t happen, but I just have a thing about board meetings occurring at a place that serves liquor. Yes, this is also a restaurant, but I didn’t know school boards can have meetings at places that aren’t available to every member of the public. Did the board have their 45 minute meeting and then get drinks after? I would certainly hope so!
I have a feeling more Prestige news may be coming out very soon…
In the meantime for Prestige Academy, you may want to update your website. Having to click on 2012 links for your board minutes, and then going through a couple more links, is not really showing how transparent your school is. Many people would just assume you haven’t updated your website since 2012!
The Season Of Myths 
If a board meeting happens in the woods (no quorum) and they take action, does that action have legal status (make a noise)?
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Not sure, but when you put it in writing on your website it sure does!
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I’ve been to board meetings at restaurants that are also bars, and we met in a separate room and ate dinner (and no drinking!) I have a real problem with the lack of a quorum.
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It’s a Charter… No rules… get it? Charters are bad for education period…. Now we have another one…. Where is our auditor?
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