Types of School Board Meetings

The school board establishes a schedule for its meetings each year. There are different kinds of meetings:

• Full board meetings are held at least once a month in the Board Room at the Craven County Central Services Building, 3600 Trent Road, New Bern. Policies are formally adopted by board members at these meetings. Citizens are invited to sign up to speak during the public input portion of the meeting. The board may go into closed session to address confidential matters as allowed by state law, such as those involving student privacy or attorney-client privilege.
• Work sessions are typically held in the Board Room at Central Services. These are less formal opportunities for the school board to discuss issues, receive reports, and provide guidance to the superintendent and staff.
• Public hearings may be called by the board to determine public sentiment on matters being considered by board members.
• Appeal hearings and panels are conducted by the board or its designees to address matters such as student assignments, student discipline, and grievances. These meetings are confidential.
• A Special Called Meeting is a School Board Meeting organized at a time outside of the regular monthly meeting schedule to address a specific matter or issue of concern. Motions may be passed at this meeting on the agenda items posted. Public Input is not typically included on the agenda for this meeting. These meetings are open to the public.
• An “emergency” meeting is defined as one that is called because of generally unexpected circumstances that require immediate consideration by the board. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.12(f).

The calendar of upcoming scheduled board meetings is posted on the website. The school system also releases a notice of board meetings at least 48 hours in advance.