**BEDC/BEDF - QUORUM/VOTING METHOD** **Last Updated Date:** 11/26/2013 **Adoption Date:** 01/10/2006 The quorum for calling a meeting to order and for the transaction of business shall be three (3), but a number less than three may adjourn a meeting. All voting at School Committee meetings must be by voice or roll call vote and no secret ballot shall be used. Votes relayed by telephone or written votes by absent members are not valid. The chairperson shall normally call for a voice vote for the transaction of business. If s/he or any other member questions the voice vote, the chairperson shall call for a show of hands. Votes by show of hands shall be counted as affirmative, negative or abstaining and shall be so recorded. It shall be the privilege of any member to have his/her vote on any motion recorded by name. The chairperson will announce the result of any vote taken. No action shall carry unless it shall receive the vote of a majority of the members present. The School Committee may, under certain circumstances and for certain kinds of action, require more than a majority vote to carry. The chairperson of the School Committee always has the right to vote, but s/he may (to preserve the neutrality of the chair) choose to vote only when his/her vote will affect the result. Examples: 1. On a 2-2 tie vote, the chairperson may choose to vote affirmatively so that a motion will pass. S/he need not vote at all if s/he is negatively inclined in that a tie vote does not carry. 2. On a 1-2 vote, the chairperson may choose to cast a negative vote in order to create a 2‑2 tie and thus block action. The official by-laws of the School Committee are included in this policy manual as File: BBBA and BCA. The official by-laws of the School Committee may be amended by vote of a majority of the full Committee at a regular meeting provided the proposed amend­ment has been introduced in writing at the previous regular meeting and the notice of the proposed change is included in the call of the meeting at which action is to be taken. **Policy References:** M.G.L. 30A: 18-25; 71:42; 71:50