Descriptor Code: BCBA
Public Participation at Board Meetings
Meetings of the School Board are conducted for the purpose of carrying on the business of the schools, and therefore are not public meetings, but meetings held in public. Although there is no legal requirement that the public be given an opportunity to speak at board meeting, it will be the policy of this Board to afford that opportunity in accordance with the following procedures:
Items of Discussion
Only items on the published board agenda will be discussed at any meeting of the Board, unless the Superintendent or a board member request an addition to the agenda of a regular meeting and the board members present approve. Members of the public who wish to make formal presentations before the Board should make arrangements in advance with the Superintendent so that such presentations may be scheduled on the agenda. However, placement on the agenda is subject to approval of the Superintendent and/or Board President.
The Board may, at its discretion, allow public comment on agenda items. In those instances where public comment is allowed, no individual may speak more than once. When public comment had been sought, the speaker should:
1. Stand during the hearing period and be recognized by the President.
2. State name and address for the minutes.
3. Limit comments to no more than five minutes, unless the time limit is waived by the President.
Groups will be urged to designate a spokesperson. When there are a large number of speakers to be heard or if pressure of business or other circumstances dictate, the Board Chairman may decide to shorten the length of time allowed each speaker and/or limit the total time to be devoted to public comment.
Conduct and Remarks Out of Order
Undue interruption or other interference with the orderly conduct of board business cannot be allowed. Defamatory or abusive remarks are always out of order. The presiding officer may terminate the speaker’s privilege of address if, after being called to order, he/she persists in improper conduct or remarks.
Questions and Comments by Board and District Administrator
All pertinent questions will be answered verbally or in writing at a later time by the chairman or an appropriate member of the administration. There will be no dialogue between board members and the public at board meetings except to clarify the nature of questions or comments.
Charges, Complaints, or Challenges
At a public board meeting no person may orally initiate charges or complaints against individual district employees or challenge instructional materials used in the district. All complaints or challenges to instructional materials should be presented to the district administrator of the Board in writing, signed by the complainant. All such written complaints or challenges, if presented to the Board directly, will be referred to the district administrator. Charges or complaints against individual district employees will be dealt with according to the district Grievance Policy.
Discussion of Motion
When a motion is before the Board, discussion will be limited to board members [and the Superintendent] except as information is requested by the Chairman.
These procedures are intended to:
1. Allow everyone who wishes it a fair and adequate hearing on non-personnel related matters.
2. Allow the Superintendent to take direct action or to recommend action to the Board when policies have already been established by the Board.
3. Minimize the possibility of the Board making ill-advised, illegal, or improper rulings due to hasty action in the absence of adequate information and study, especially when a policy does not exist, a change in policy is proposed or an exception to policy is specifically requested.
4. See that the time so devoted does not interfere with the scheduled business of the Board.
Public Participation at Board Meetings
Meetings of the School Board are conducted for the purpose of carrying on the business of the schools, and therefore are not public meetings, but meetings held in public. Although there is no legal requirement that the public be given an opportunity to speak at board meeting, it will be the policy of this Board to afford that opportunity in accordance with the following procedures:
Items of Discussion
Only items on the published board agenda will be discussed at any meeting of the Board, unless the Superintendent or a board member request an addition to the agenda of a regular meeting and the board members present approve. Members of the public who wish to make formal presentations before the Board should make arrangements in advance with the Superintendent so that such presentations may be scheduled on the agenda. However, placement on the agenda is subject to approval of the Superintendent and/or Board President.
The Board may, at its discretion, allow public comment on agenda items. In those instances where public comment is allowed, no individual may speak more than once. When public comment had been sought, the speaker should:
1. Stand during the hearing period and be recognized by the President.
2. State name and address for the minutes.
3. Limit comments to no more than five minutes, unless the time limit is waived by the President.
Groups will be urged to designate a spokesperson. When there are a large number of speakers to be heard or if pressure of business or other circumstances dictate, the Board Chairman may decide to shorten the length of time allowed each speaker and/or limit the total time to be devoted to public comment.
Conduct and Remarks Out of Order
Undue interruption or other interference with the orderly conduct of board business cannot be allowed. Defamatory or abusive remarks are always out of order. The presiding officer may terminate the speaker’s privilege of address if, after being called to order, he/she persists in improper conduct or remarks.
Questions and Comments by Board and District Administrator
All pertinent questions will be answered verbally or in writing at a later time by the chairman or an appropriate member of the administration. There will be no dialogue between board members and the public at board meetings except to clarify the nature of questions or comments.
Charges, Complaints, or Challenges
At a public board meeting no person may orally initiate charges or complaints against individual district employees or challenge instructional materials used in the district. All complaints or challenges to instructional materials should be presented to the district administrator of the Board in writing, signed by the complainant. All such written complaints or challenges, if presented to the Board directly, will be referred to the district administrator. Charges or complaints against individual district employees will be dealt with according to the district Grievance Policy.
Discussion of Motion
When a motion is before the Board, discussion will be limited to board members [and the Superintendent] except as information is requested by the Chairman.
These procedures are intended to:
1. Allow everyone who wishes it a fair and adequate hearing on non-personnel related matters.
2. Allow the Superintendent to take direct action or to recommend action to the Board when policies have already been established by the Board.
3. Minimize the possibility of the Board making ill-advised, illegal, or improper rulings due to hasty action in the absence of adequate information and study, especially when a policy does not exist, a change in policy is proposed or an exception to policy is specifically requested.
4. See that the time so devoted does not interfere with the scheduled business of the Board.