215 - Public Participation in Board of Directors Meetings

The Board encourages public attendance and participation in its board meetings.  The Board meets on a regular schedule of open public meetings to conduct the official business of the school district.  The public is asked to recognize that time limitations require the Board to adopt procedures to assure an orderly process during the meeting.

In order to facilitate a productive, orderly meeting, persons who wish to address the Board should do so by contacting the Superintendent, Board President, or Board Secretary at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.  If the stated subject is on the agenda, the speaker will be heard at the time that agenda item is initially brought up for discussion by the Board.  Other speakers will also be recognized at the discretion of the Chair, if time permits.  To insure fairness and efficiency, speakers are asked to keep comments as brief as possible, not to exceed five minutes.

Only those individuals recognized by the Chair shall be permitted to participate in the discussion.  Any attempt by persons not so recognized to discuss any motion before the Board, is out of order.  It shall be in order for the members of the Board, after first gaining recognition of the Chair, to interrupt the speaker to ask questions and clarify the discussion.  The Chair shall permit and conduct adequate discussion of each item by Board members, staff and audience.  In general, no more than five minutes will be allowed for public comments.  Should additional time be needed, a motion to extend the discussion time may be made by any Board member. 

If a topic is not on the agenda, persons may address the Board in the Public Forum item of the agenda.  If an issue is raised which will require the preparation of an agenda item, it will be referred to the superintendent for such preparation, and the person raising the issue will be informed of the meeting when it will appear on the agenda.  The Correspondence item of the agenda is designed for written comments from the public, not discussion.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code Chapter 21, §279.8 (1991)

Cross Reference:  205.1    Board of Directors Member Security and Protection
                                       211        Board of Directors Meetings
                                       216        Public Hearings
                                       402.5    Citizens’ Complaints
                                       1004      Public Participation in the School District

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  9-11-23              
Revised:  5-10-99