You also probably have guessed that this long wait presents opportunities for both positive and negative experiences. On the positive side, you could be part of the best prepared group of new board members ever to serve in Illinois. On the other hand, a board member who does not take the time to become informed could make some significant errors in judgment. The following questions and answers have been compiled by the staff of the Illinois Association of School Boards in hopes of helping you make the most of this opportunity and to avoid the pitfalls.
Unseated members have no special legal status.
That is, they have no rights beyond those of the ordinary citizen. Board members-elect are not public officials and do not constitute a public body. Therefore, even as a group, they cannot take action in the name of the board or the district. Because they are not yet part of a public body, persons who are elected but not yet seated may be tempted to meet to talk among themselves about the school district. Although such meetings presumably would not violate the letter of the Open Meetings Act, they may be viewed as contrary to the spirit of the Act and could create serious public relations problems, especially if such discussions lead to formal action after the new members are seated in November.