What should the board do when encountering a sensitive topic in an open board meeting?

When the board encounters a sensitive topic during an open board meeting, the recommended course of action is to conclude all open business and move to executive session. This is crucial because sensitive issues may involve confidential matters such as legal issues, personnel matters, or financial disclosures that are not appropriate for public discussion.

An executive session allows the board to deliberate privately about such topics without the presence of non-board members. This maintains the confidentiality and integrity of the discussion while ensuring that the necessary decisions can still be made responsibly. By moving to executive session, the board can address the sensitive issue thoroughly and thoughtfully, protecting the interests of the community and those involved in the discussion.

Other options, such as continuing the discussion with all members present or conducting a vote among members, could risk exposing sensitive information to the public, which is neither appropriate nor advisable. Postponing the meeting might also cause unnecessary delays in addressing important community matters, just compounding the issue rather than resolving it promptly through a confidential and focused discussion.