During TSBA’s Annual Convention in November, board members have the opportunity to shape TSBA’s message and provide direction for the Association through the Delegate Assembly. The Delegate Assembly plays a vital role in the governance of TSBA. Delegates are appointed by individual Boards and share the responsibilities of (1) electing the TSBA officers; (2) approving the Strategic Plan of the Association; (3) adopting amendments to TSBA’s Constitution and Bylaws and Position Statements; and (4) taking action on submitted resolutions that will serve as the framework in developing TSBA’s Legislative Agenda for the upcoming year.
TSBA Delegate Assembly
The Delegate Assembly elects the officers of TSBA. The officers serve on the TSBA Board of Directors which consists of the President, Immediate Past President, President-Elect, Vice President, Treasurer, nine (9) District Directors, and four (4) At-Large Members. The 18-member board carries out the mandates of the Delegate Assembly and acts as a liaison between the Association and local Boards of Education.
Before the officers of the Association are elected, the Nominating Committee, appointed by the TSBA President and chaired by the Immediate Past President, receives nominations from Boards and makes recommendations. Nominations must be submitted to TSBA no later than sixty (60) days prior to the Delegate Assembly. The slate of officer nominees will be distributed to Boards at least twenty (20) days prior to the Delegate Assembly.
Additional nominations from Boards may be made at the opening session of the Delegate Assembly by preparing and disseminating to the President of TSBA pertinent biographical information and a signed letter from each nominee confirming a willingness to serve.
The Delegate Assembly approves the Strategic Plan of the Association. It contains the mission and yearly goals of the Association. It also includes the objectives and strategies that the Association will use to ensure TSBA members receive the services they need to effectively govern their school districts.
The Constitution and Bylaws outline the structure of the Association while detailing its purpose, meetings, and officers.
Any TSBA member may propose an amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws by submitting amendments to the Executive Director at least sixty (60) days prior to the Delegate Assembly. Proposed changes must be considered by the TSBA Board of Directors prior to the Delegate Assembly unless the Delegate Assembly votes by a two-thirds majority of those present to consider a proposal offered from the floor. Adoption of the proposed changes requires a simple majority of those Delegates present and voting.
The Position Statements outline the priorities and views of the Association. These statements guide TSBA in its initiatives and legislative actions. Adopted statements are effective until amended or deleted.
Any TSBA member may propose changes to the Position Statements by submitting amendments to the Executive Director at least sixty (60) days prior to the Delegate Assembly. Proposed changes must be considered by the TSBA Board of Directors prior to the Delegate Assembly unless the Delegate Assembly votes by a two-thirds majority of those present to consider a proposal offered from the floor. Adoption of the proposed changes requires a simple majority of those Delegates present and voting.
Resolutions serve as a framework in developing TSBA’s Legislative Agenda. Resolutions request the General Assembly, Congress, a state or federal agency, and/or the Governor to take a specific action. They must contain a clear request and rationale. Boards can submit resolutions each year at the Delegate Assembly. Resolutions adopted by the Delegate Assembly are effective for one year.
Drafting A Resolution
Before submitting a resolution, the Board should consider whether the proposal has statewide importance and its impact on other school districts. Once the Board decides to submit a resolution, it should assign one board member to be the primary author to ensure the needed requirements are included. Each resolution should only address one specific issue. It must also include a “Be It Resolved” statement and rationale.
The “Be It Resolved” statement is the most important part of a resolution because it will be included in TSBA’s Legislative Agenda. It should state the topic and the action called for; be fully understood as a stand-alone statement; and be specific enough to get your point across.
The rationale paints a picture of why the resolution should be addressed by the Delegate Assembly. It should explain what the “Be It Resolved” statement is intended to address and describe the problem or the need for action in a logical order. The rationale should also explain how the “Be It Resolved” statement will correct the problem and address the timeliness or urgency with its effects on school districts.
Click here to view a template the Board can utilize when drafting a resolution.
Submission Deadline
Proposed resolutions must be submitted in writing to the Executive Director at least sixty (60) days prior to the meeting of the Delegate Assembly. Resolutions must be considered by the TSBA Board of Directors prior to the Delegate Assembly unless the Delegate Assembly votes by a two-thirds majority of those present to consider a proposal offered from the floor. Adoption of resolutions requires a simple majority of those Delegates present and voting.
Each year, we receive questions from Boards regarding the Delegate Assembly and how it operates. We are including a few of the most asked questions below. For more information about the Delegate Assembly, contact Ben Torres, TSBA Assistant Executive Director and General Counsel at (615) 815-3902 or btorres@tsba.net.
Who is eligible to vote at the Delegate Assembly?
Each local Board of Education that holds membership in TSBA may select Delegates from its Board to attend the Delegate Assembly and serve as voting members. Each Board must submit the names of Delegates and Alternates. The number of Delegates that each Board may designate is specified in TSBA’s Constitution and Bylaws and determined by the student population of the school district as seen below.
| Net Enrollment of School Districts | Number of Delegates |
| Less than 2,000 | 2 |
| 2,000 – 5,000 | 3 |
| 5,001 – 10,000 | 4 |
| 10,001 – 20,000 | 6 |
| 20,001 – 40,000 | 7 |
| More than 40,000 | 9 |
How is the business of the Delegate Assembly conducted?
The meeting of the Delegate Assembly is conducted in a large room with Delegates seated at tables labeled with signs bearing the name of their local school districts. Seated on the platform at the front of the room are the President, who serves as Chair of the Delegate Assembly; other TSBA officers; the Executive Director of TSBA; and other TSBA staff as deemed appropriate to keep the minutes and provide assistance. The Delegate Assembly operates under Robert’s Rules of Order Revised. Additional rules may apply as adopted by the Delegate Assembly.
The Credentials Committee is charged with ensuring each board member voting in the Delegate Assembly is a certified Delegate. Each Delegate is given an official TSBA delegate ribbon prior to the meeting that must be presented to a member of the Credentials Committee before admittance into the voting area. The Credentials Committee is also responsible for maintaining order, and if necessary, counting delegate votes on proposed measures.
How can Delegates prepare for the meeting?
At least twenty (20) days prior to the meeting, TSBA will provide each Delegate with a Delegate Assembly Handbook. The handbook includes the agenda and supporting materials for the business meeting, including information on proposed position statements and resolutions as well as amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. The handbook also contains committee reports, information on TSBA officer nominees, and the rules for the Delegate Assembly that will be used to guide discussion during the meeting.