Audience Participation at School Board Meetings during Open Forum

Audience participation at a Board meeting is limited to the public comment portions of the meeting designated for that purpose.  At all other times during a Board meeting, the audience shall not enter into discussion or debate on matters being considered by the Board, unless requested by the presiding officer.

Any person wishing to address the Board during the period reserved for public comment at a Board meeting must sign up to be heard prior to the meeting starting.  Paperwork must be turned in to the Board President no later than 5:50 p.m. (10 minutes prior to start of meeting) in accordance with District Policy BED (LOCAL).  Forms are located on the sign-in table in the board room prior to the meeting.

Open Forum – Agenda Item(s) Only:  Each person will be limited to a total of three (3) minutes to address only items listed on the agenda to the Board.  (30 minutes max total time for open forum… time per person will decrease if more than 10 people sign up to speak.)  The agenda Item number and letter must be indicated on the sign-up form.  Click here for link to Board Meeting Agendas.

Open Forum – General Topic) Only:  Each person will be limited to a total of three (3) minutes to address the Board.  (30 minutes max total time for open forum… time per person will decrease if more than 10 people sign up to speak.)

The Board is not permitted to discuss or act upon any issues that are not posted on the agenda for that night’s meeting.  The Board has adopted complaint policies that are designed to secure, at the lowest possible administrative level, a prompt and equitable resolution of complaints and concerns.  Each of these processes provides that, if a resolution cannot be achieved administratively, the person may appeal the administrative decision to the Board as a properly posted agenda item.  For further information on those policies, contact Anna Davenport at 979.826.3304, ext. 224.

The Board shall not tolerate disruption of the meeting by members of the audience.  If, after at least one warning from the presiding officer, any person continues to disrupt the meeting by his or her words or actions, the presiding officer may request assistance from law enforcement officials to have the person removed from the meeting.