Governor’s Executive Order Allows Virtual Meetings … For Now

Executive Order 2020-15 Permits Electronic School Board Meetings; Excuses Schools Boards from Monthly Meeting Requirements

On March 18, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order No. 2020-15 which allows all public bodies, including school boards, to conduct meetings electronically so long as members of the public can communicate with the board during the meetings.  Alternatively, the Executive Order temporarily excuses school boards from holding monthly meetings as required by the Revised School Code.

In the event school boards choose to hold meetings electronically, the Executive Order contains a list of requirements that must be met which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Board members and the public must be able to hear each other in real-time;
• Public participants must be able to address the board during the public comment period;
• Boards are still required to provide notice of the meeting to the public and post such notice on the school district’s website; and
• Participants must be permitted to record or broadcast the meeting.

Executive Order 2020-15 will remain in effect through April 15, 2020.  A full copy of the Executive Order can be found here.