The DeKalb County Board of Education passed a measure on first reading last week to allow school board members who are unable to attend regular or special meetings due to health problems, family emergencies, military service or work-related absences will be able to attend meeting electronically.The board voted unanimously to adopt the new school board meetings policy on first reading Thursday night.Charles Robinson, board member from the Second District, proposed the idea of electronic attendance to help allow Third District Board Member Kenny Rhody, who has been absent due to a medical condition for some time, to participate in bord meetings.“I know I can't speak for Mr. Rhody, but I know Mr. Rhody is very serious in his duties and responsibilities as a school board member,” Robinson told the assembly. “I think this might interest him in being able to attend school board meetings electronically due to the fact that with his medical condition it might be a long process before he can actually attend a school board meeting. I would like to make a motion that we adopt it on first reading because it will make us in compliance with state law and it would give a board member an opportunity to participate if he wishes.”Robinson’s motion was seconded by Sixth District Board Member Doug Stephens.Electronic attendance will be allowed in the case that a board member can not attend a meeting due to the hospitalization of the board member, or the death or hospitalization of the member's spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, step-son, step-daughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law.Work-related absences will also qualify board members for electronic meetings.