213 - Public Participation in Board of Directors Meetings
213 - Public Participation in Board of Directors MeetingsThe board recognizes the importance of citizen participation in school district matters. In order to assure citizens are heard and board meetings are conducted efficiently and in an organized manner, the board will set aside a specific time for public comment.
Citizens wishing to address the board during public comment must notify the board secretary prior to the board meeting. The board president will recognize these individuals to make their comments at the appropriate time during public comment. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the board may also do so at this time. The board however, will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents.
The board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation. Normally, speakers will be limited to 5 minutes. However, the board president may modify this time limit, if deemed appropriate or necessary. Public comment is a time set aside for community input, but the board will not discuss or take any action of any matter during public comment.
A public comment shall be limited to regular board meetings and will not be routinely held during special board meetings.
The board has a significant interest in maintaining the decorum of its meetings, and it is expected that members of the public and the board will address each other with civility. The orderly process of the board meeting will not be interfered with or disrupted by public comment. Only individuals recognized by the board president will be allowed to speak. Comments by others are out of order. If disruptive, the individual causing disruption may be asked to leave the board meeting. Defamatory comments may be subject to legal action.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§21; 22; 279.8
Cross Reference: 205 Board Member Liability
210.8 Board Meeting Agenda
214 Public Hearings
307 Communication Channels
401.4 Employee Complaints
402.5 Public Complaints About Employees
502.4 Student Complaints and Grievances
Approved: 2-10-92
Reviewed: 9-11-23
Revised: 2-8-93
213.01 - Public Complaints
213.01 - Public ComplaintsThe board recognizes situations may arise in the operation of the school district which are of concern to parents and other members of the school district community.
The board firmly believes concerns should be resolved at the lowest organizational level by those individuals closest to the concern. Whenever a complaint or concern is brought to the attention of the board it will be referred to the administration to be resolved. Prior to board action however, the following should be completed:
- Matters should first be addressed to the teacher or employee.
- Unsettled matters from (a) above or problems and questions about individual attendance centers should be addressed to the employee’s building principal.
- Unsettled matters from (b) above or problems and questions concerning the school district should be directed to the superintendent.
- If a matter cannot be settled satisfactorily by the superintendent, it may then be brought to the board for consideration. To bring a concern, the individual shall notify the board president or board secretary in writing, who may bring it to the attention of the entire board.
It is within the discretion of the board to address complaints from the members of the school district community, and the board will only consider whether to address complaints if they are in writing, signed, and the complainant has complied with this policy. The board is not obligated to address a complaint and may defer to the decision of the superintendent. If the board elects not to address a complaint, the decision of the superintendent shall be final. If the board does elect to address a complaint, its decision shall be final.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §279.8
Cross Reference: 210.8 Board Meeting Agenda
213 Public Participation in Board Meetings
307 Communication Channels
Approved: 1-14-19
Reviewed: 9-11-23
Revised: