School Board Approach to Public Comment

Most school boards meet once or twice per month and provide for public comment during the meeting.  How should the board approach public comment?

 

Public comment is an opportunity for an individual (or group) to address the school board.  The comment may be an announcement, complaint, compliment, expression of concern, or any topic of which the individual feels the board should be aware.  The board should have a process for public comment that is fair to the individual and allows the board to maintain appropriate control of its meeting.

The school board president is the key figure to facilitate public comment.  If the president follows a few simple steps, then public comment can be an informative and productive part of the board meeting.

 

The president should introduce public comment with a few basic ground rules: how the individual should identify him/herself (usually name and address); the time limit for a comment (usually three to five minutes); and indicate the school board does not respond to public comment.  Its lack of response is not intended to trivialize the individual’s comment, but rather to give the board an opportunity to gather more information if necessary.

 

If a group wishes to address the school board, then the president should ask the group to select two or three individuals to speak on its behalf. 

 

After the comment, the board president should thank the individual, and if necessary, refer the matter to the superintendent for additional follow up.  If the comment requires a response, then the superintendent, in collaboration with the president, should provide a written response to the individual and include a copy in the next board packet.  If the comment requires additional school board attention, then the superintendent and president should include the matter on the next school board meeting agenda.  A majority of board members also may request the president and superintendent to include the matter on the next meeting agenda.

 

There are two instances when a response from the board table is appropriate:  to request clarification; or to correct misinformation.  The board president or superintendent should respond.  If a board member needs clarification, then the board member should refer to the president.

 

On a particularly contentious matter, many individuals may wish to address the school board.  They should be asked to submit their names to the recording secretary prior to the meeting.  The recording secretary gives the names to the board president.  The president should invite an individual to address the board and indicated the next person in line.  This procedure can make the process of public comment more efficient and less time consuming.

 

Public comment is an important part of the school board meeting.  The process for public comment should be well planned so as to provide individuals (or groups) the best opportunity to address the board.

 

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