The South Whidbey Board of Education went over its list of likes and dislikes Monday night.

Board directors don’t like surprises, long meetings, anyone who plays to an audience, or anyone speaking out of turn to the press.

But they do like having Superintendent Martin Laster acting as the school district’s CEO, board members who do their homework, and people who speak up for themselves.

These likes and dislikes were just part of a list of rules to live by the school board imposed on itself at its meeting Monday.

Renewing their vows in a sense on a 4-0 vote, the board they approved for a second time its operating rules, dubbed the “Operating Protocol.” Director Barb Schneeman was absent from the meeting.

The document was first signed in Dec. 2001 and includes a list of 20 items aimed at enhancing teamwork and communication on the board and with the administration. All five of the current board members signed it the first time.

The board discussed the protocol at a retreat earlier this month and included them for approval along with the board’s goals at the meeting. The workshop was facilitated by superintendent Martin Laster.

Making the protocol come true will take a good deal of work, said board director Bob Riggs, more than it took to write them and sign them.

“The hardest work is in front of us,” said director Bob Riggs. “We have to live up to the goals and the protocol. It has to be more than just verbage.

“I am looking forward to working with other members of the board with these as the base.”

Director Ray Gabelein thanked Laster for helping the board perform its self evaluation during its January workshop.

“It’s a good thing to do once a year,” Gabelein said.

The protocol was developed for the purpose of enhancing teamwork among members of the board and between the board and the district’s administration.

Director Jim Adsley said approving the protocol is a re-affirmation to themselves what the rules of behavior are for board directors.

“Under most circumstances we resign when they are modified or we get a new member of the board,” Adsley said.

Some of the issues the board met head-on in its protocol included avoiding involvement in the direct management of schools, and emphasizing planning, policy making and public relations. The board also agreed to lead by example by promising to avoid words and actions that “create a negative impression on an individual, the board or the district.” The document also encourages debate and differing points of view.

Board members also promised to hold executive sessions only when specific needs arise, and to improve communication with the community and staff.

In another, unrelated matter Superintendent Martin Laster’s informal evaluation was the subject of two executives sessions Monday night. The first from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the second from about 9:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

There was no action taken. The board will make a statement concerning the results of the evaluation at a later date.