Public Participation Policies
Public participation is limited to 60 minutes per Board meeting. Generally, there will be 30 minutes of public participation at the beginning of the meeting, limited to agenda items. There will be an additional 30 minutes of public participation at the end of the meeting, limited to non-agenda items.
Although the public participation portion of the meeting is limited, an exception may be made, if necessary, so that no one’s right to address the Board will be denied.
Audience members who wish to address the Board must complete a Speaker Request Form. Forms will be available 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting and must be completed and submitted to the Secretary of the Board of Education before the start of the meeting. The Board President or presiding officer will recognize audience members for public participation subject to the following rules:
- Each person wishing to speak must identify self by name and address.
- Recognized speakers may be permitted to speak for up to three (3) minutes. However, the President of the Board may reduce the time limit for each speaker in order to accommodate all of the individuals who wish to address the Board of Education.
- Recognized speakers may not transfer or delegate their time to others.
- Delegations who wish to express their views are encouraged to select one speaker to present the delegation’s views to the Board.
- Each member of a delegation wishing to speak must submit a separate Speaker Request Form.
- Persons who have completed a Speaker Request Form, but have not had an opportunity to address the Board or to complete their presentations may be given the option of submitting their views in writing to the Secretary of the Board of Education, whose name and e-mail address are printed on each Speaker Request Form. The Secretary of the Board will forward all such written presentation to all Board members.
- Speakers shall direct their comments to the Board and not to District staff or other audience members.
- Speakers should not expect Board members to answer questions during public participation. Questions will be referred to the Superintendent for review and study and, if appropriate, future Board action.
- Speakers are expected to express themselves responsibly and courteously and with due respect for the fact their views and opinions may not be shared by all present. The following are examples of irresponsible or discourteous expression:
- Denigrating Board members, District staff, students, or other audience members.
- Speculating on the motives of Board members, District staff, students, or other audience members.
- Complaints about District staff or students that have not been brought to the District’s attention through appropriate channels.
- Speakers may not express complaints against Board members or District staff unrelated to their offices or jobs.
- Speakers may not express complaints against Board members or District staff that are related to their offices or job unless the affected person or persons have been notified and permitted a reasonable opportunity to choose whether to hold a hearing on the complaint in open or closed session.
- Audience members are expected to conduct themselves responsibly and courteously and with due respect for the fact their views and opinions may not be shared by all present. Thus, raucous or disrespectful expressions of agreement or disagreement by audience members are not appropriate.
The Board’s President or presiding officer is charged with the responsibility for insuring that public participation assists the Board in discharging its responsibilities and is conducted according to this Policy. Thus, the Board President or presiding officer is authorized to enforce this Policy by, among other things: interrupting presentations to remind speakers and audience members of this Policy; dismissing previously recognized speakers who violate this Policy; requesting speakers or audience members to leave the meeting if they violate the Policy and, if necessary, requesting the assistance of law enforcement officers to assist in removing speakers or audience members who refuse to leave; or, adjourning the meeting.
