13. Public Comment
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Submitted by jenny_hunter on Fri, 12/13/2024 - 4:32pm
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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The Board of Education, as an elected representative body of the school system, wishes to provide a forum for citizens to express interests and concerns related to the school system. In order that the board may conduct an orderly meeting while providing an opportunity for input, individuals or groups may be heard by the board in accordance with policy 2310, Public Participation at Board Meetings, or policy 2300, Board Meetings (subsection D.3).
- Each month, the first part of at least one regularly scheduled board meeting will be set aside for citizens to address the board through public comment. Board meetings, which include public comment, are a limited public forum. The board limits public comment to issues relevant to, and within the jurisdiction of, the Board of Education. The board will not discriminate based on the viewpoint expressed by speakers on permissible topics.
- A sign-up sheet will be available 30 minutes before the meeting begins for any individual or group to indicate their desire to address the board.
- Each speaker will receive three (3) minutes to present comments. Time will begin when the speaker reaches the podium. The public comment session will not exceed 30 minutes total except by majority vote of the board.
- The board chair will recognize speakers in the order in which they signed in. Substitute speakers will not be permitted and speakers may not donate any portion of their time to another speaker. If a speaker is unable to present all of his or her information within the specified time limit, the speaker may provide the board with additional information in written form. If an unusually large number of people request to speak, a majority of the board may decide to reduce the time for each individual or to require the designation of a spokesperson for each group of persons supporting or opposing the same positions. At any time, the board may establish additional procedures to ensure that public comment sessions proceed in an efficient and orderly manner.
- Public comment is not a time for dialogue between individuals and board members or amongst individuals. Board members will not respond to individuals who address the board except to request clarification of points made by the presenter. The board does not transact any official business during public comment.
- Individualized personnel and student matters are confidential as provided in applicable federal and state law. Such matters are within the jurisdiction of the superintendent or designee to investigate and resolve or make recommendations to the board in accordance with law and board policy. In such matters, the Board of Education serves as an avenue for appeal and/or final decision in accordance with law and board policy. Therefore, public comment is not the appropriate forum for complaints related to identified school employees or students.
- The superintendent or designee shall make available this policy and other relevant grievance procedures to any individual or group wishing to submit a complaint regarding an identified school employee or student. In addition, nothing in this policy prohibits the ability of a citizen to send the Board of Education comment in writing which may be maintained as confidential in accordance with applicable law. State and/or federal law may require disclosure of a written comment or complaint to any employee, student, or parent(s) of a student identified in the comment or complaint.
- Except in cases of emergency, information received during presentations will not be acted upon at the time it is received. It will take unanimous vote of the board members present to act on a presentation considered to be of an unusual or emergency nature at the time it is presented.
- Personal attacks on school employees or board members are prohibited and disruptions by any person or persons of a public meeting will be subject to action in accordance with G.S. 143-318.17.
- If the board does not hold a regular meeting during a month, the board will not provide a time for public comment at any other meeting held during that month, unless a majority of the board votes to allow public comment at the meeting or unless the purpose of the meeting is a public hearing.
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