Learn to play by Roberts Rules

Times Archives, Caddo Parish School Board 

If Robert were at the Caddo Parish School Board meeting on Tuesday, I don't think he would've been happy.

The current edition of Roberts Rules of Order should control the conduct of all Caddo Parish School Board business during regular meetings and special sessions, but that wasn't the case for most of the night Tuesday.

I'll admit, I don't know all the rules. I do, however, know how elected officials should conduct themselves in meetings and that there should be a certain level of respect for fellow members.

Making motions out of turn and having to constantly be reminded to stick to the topic at hand should not be.

Board President Lillian Priest: "Mrs. Phelps, Mrs. Phelps."

Board member Tammy Phelps: "I'm finished with that statement," Phelps shot back.

Later on in the meeting...

Preist: "Mrs. Phelps, are you going to speak on the motion?"

Phelps: "Yeah, we're talkin about Volunteers of Youth Justice, right?"

At one point in the meeting Phelps even reminded Finance Director Jim Lee that it was her turn to speak, not his. Everyone in the room was as surprised as he was. 

To keep things fair, Phelps wasn't the only board member out of line. Priest had to tell board member Dottie Bell to "hold up," when she made a motion out of turn. Board member Willie Burton was even reminded to speak only on the current topic.

But the issue of board members not playing by the rules didn't start Tuesday, and it won't end there either.

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