FILE:  BCBI

Cf:  BCAD, BCB

Cf:  BCBD, BCBK, KN

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

It is the policy of the Iberville Parish School Board to conduct all meetings in full view of and with welcomed participation by the public.  However, the School Board reserves the right to recess into or call executive sessions for discussing matters as provided by state law.  At no time shall actions be taken or resolutions made during executive sessions.

A public comment period shall be held before any vote is taken on an agenda item.  The presiding officer of the School Board may recognize persons at this time for the purpose of public comment pertinent to the agenda item.  However, a person is not entitled to take up business before the School Board unless the item in which he/she is interested has been placed on the agenda of that meeting, or has been approved to be added by unanimous approval of the members present.  The presiding officer shall have the authority to remove any person disrupting or interfering in any manner with the conduct of the School Board meeting.

In the event that the School Board should add an item for which a vote shall be taken to its agenda after the School Board meeting begins, the School Board President shall orally request of the audience whether anyone in attendance would like to speak on the added agenda item.  Each person indicating a desire to do so shall be given an opportunity to address the School Board on each agenda item added.  The School Board shall delay deliberations on that agenda item until such time as all interested members of the public have had an opportunity to speak.

GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The following guidelines are designed to facilitate and support the public use of proper channels of communication and allow orderly public access to participation at School Board meetings.

Recognition of Speakers

Once the presiding officer has announced an agenda item for which a vote shall be taken a motion shall be made and a second shall be obtained prior to opening the public comment period.  Any person interested in commenting on said item must raise his/her hand and be recognized before approaching the microphone.  The person shall state his/her name, and if representing a group, the name of the group.

Limitation on Comment

Any single person recognized to comment on an agenda item shall be allotted a maximum of (3) minutes.  If two (2) or more persons wish to address the same agenda item on which they have the same opinion, the total maximum time allotted for all such speakers combined shall be five (5) minutes.  If a group of four (4) or fewer persons who have the same opinion on the agenda item wish to do so, they may designate one person to act as a spokesperson and said person shall be allotted a maximum of five (5) minutes to address that one agenda item.  If a group of five (5) or more persons having the same opinion wish to address the same agenda item they must designate a spokesperson for said item and shall be allotted a maximum of five (5) minutes for their presentation.  No duplicate testimony or comment shall be allowed during this period.

Responses to Public Comments

The presiding officer may, when deemed necessary, direct the Superintendent to investigate certain matters which are brought forth during the public comment session(s), and either respond directly in writing to the questioner, or report back to the School Board at a later date.

The presiding officer shall recognize School Board members prior to any member asking clarifying questions or to their responding to any comments made.

The presiding officer has the responsibility to keep the discussion and or responses by both audience members and School Board members to the particular item at hand, and shall halt any discussion that does not pertain to the particular item.

Speakers shall not be allowed to ask questions or make requests of the School Board or staff.  Public comment is a time for comment.  It is not a time for debate, nor is it a time for members of the public to ask questions of and receive answers from the School Board or staff.

Complaints and Concerns

Complaints and concerns for which other channels of resolution are provided shall be directed through those channels.  The presiding officer (or the Superintendent, if appropriate) shall determine whether a person who is addressing the School Board has attempted to resolve the matter administratively.  If not, the person shall be directed to the appropriate party to seek resolution.  It is only after all administrative channels or recourse have been exhausted that the matter may be brought back before the School Board.

The School Board shall not entertain negative comments on individual students or individual employees in open public session.  No accusatory comments or comments relative to the performance of specific or potential employees shall be permitted.

Public Comment after Closing

Audience participation at School Board meetings is limited to that time before each agenda item is discussed.  Once the period for public comment has been declared concluded by the presiding officer, and at all other times during the School Board meeting, the audience shall not enter into discussion or debate on matters being considered by the School Board.  Substitute or amended motions do not constitute a requirement for additional public comment.

Decorum during Public Discussion

Inappropriate or disruptive conduct by audience members at School Board meetings shall not be tolerated.  Examples of such conduct include, but are not limited to, booing, hissing, clapping, shouting, cursing, or disrespectful comments to School Board members, employees, or other persons present at the meeting.  Nor shall the presiding officer tolerate other behavior or verbal abuse which the presiding officer considers disruptive or improper.  Applause is acceptable only when an award or recognition is being made.

No signs, posters or placards, which may cause disruption of the School Board meeting are permitted in the meeting room.

The presiding officer may order the removal from the meeting of any person(s) interfering with the expeditious and orderly conduct of the meeting, provided that said presiding officer shall first issue a warning that continued interference with the orderly processes of the meeting will result in removal.  Appropriate law enforcement authorities shall remove any person(s) ordered removed by the presiding officer pursuant to this section.  Furthermore, charges may be brought against any person(s) who willfully disrupt a public meeting in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §42:17(C).

REMOTE PARTICIPATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH DISABILITIES

The School Board shall allow any member of the public with a disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act, or a designated caregiver of such a person, to participate in its meetings via teleconference or video conference, and shall facilitate participation by any such person who requests that accommodation prior to the meeting.  Members of the public who desire to participate in this fashion shall certify that they meet the definition of a person with a disability recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act when they submit, prior to public meetings, their requests to comment on agenda items and shall comply with the same rules and regulations on speaking applicable to those participating in person at such meetings.

NOTICE

These guidelines shall be available near the public entrance of the School Board meeting room and available at schools and public libraries, along with the agenda.

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:23

Board minutes, 8-11-97, 10-13-08, 3-14-16, 4-16-18, 8-14-23

Iberville Parish School Board