PUBLIC COMMENT IN BOARD MEETINGS
The 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 shall set time aside for public comment. If the pressure of business or other circumstances dictate, the board president may decide to eliminate this practice at a particular meeting and will announce that decision at the beginning of the meeting. The orderly process of the board meeting shall not be interfered with or disrupted. Subjects for comment should involve areas within the board’s proper responsibility. Discussion on unrelated matters will be discouraged.
The board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public comment. The board president shall specify the total amount of time available for public comment prior to opening the public comment period. If public comment is allowed prior to individual agenda items, that limit on the total comment period should also be defined. Individual comments will be limited to 5 minutes for each participant. The board president will recognize these individuals to make their comments at the appropriate time. Only those speakers recognized by the board president shall be allowed to speak. Comments by others are out of order. If disruptive, the individual making the comments or another individual causing disruption may be asked to leave the board meeting.
It is helpful if citizens wishing to address the board on a certain agenda item will notify the superintendent prior to the board meeting. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the board relating to that item may do so at this time. However, the board will only receive the petitions and will not act upon them or their contents.
Individuals who have a complaint about employees or students who have complaints shall follow policies 403.05 and 504.01 respectively. The board will follow policy 1005.01 in handling public complaints.
Any written or printed materials to be circulated for a meeting of the school board must be submitted to the superintendent by the Wednesday preceding a Monday night meeting. Adding such information to the agenda packet will be at the discretion of the superintendent after consultation with the board president.
Legal Reference:
Nebraska Statute 84-1408 to 1414
Cross Reference:
201.07 Board Member Liability
403.05 Public Complaints about Employees
