FILE: BCBI
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
The Monroe City School Board desires the citizens of the district to attend its meetings so that they may become better acquainted with the schools and so that the Board may have opportunity to hear the wishes and/or ideas of the public.
It is the policy of the Board to conduct all meetings in full view of and with welcomed participation by the public. However, the Board reserves the right to recess into or call executive sessions for discussing matters as provided by state law. During executive sessions, no action shall be taken or resolutions made.
REQUEST FOR ITEM TO BE PLACED ON AGENDA
All delegations or individuals who wish to appear before the School Board and place an item on the agenda shall submit their written requests to the Superintendent at least five (5) working days prior to the meeting date, stating what matters they wish to take up with the Board and the approximate time such matters should consume at the meeting. Such items will normally be included on the agenda of the meeting at which the delegation or individual wishes to appear before the Board. If not submitted on time to be placed on the agenda, the item will be held over for the next scheduled meeting of the Board. Each delegation appearing before the Board shall select in advance one (1) person as its spokesperson and statements shall be presented in a concise manner.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
The public shall have an opportunity to comment on each agenda item before any vote is taken. Comments from the public shall occur after introduction of the item to be voted on and before any discussion by Board members. However, a person is not entitled to take up business before the Board unless the item in which he/she is interested has actually been placed on the agenda of that meeting.
To facilitate the process of affording an opportunity for public comment on each agenda item for which a vote shall be taken, individuals who wish to speak at meetings shall be required to complete sign-up cards prior to a School Board meeting. No individual may speak without first being recognized by the presiding officer. Each person recognized by the presiding officer may speak for not more than three (3) minutes on the item, and may speak only once on each agenda item. When the individual has been recognized to speak on an agenda item, that individual shall limit his/her comments to matters that are strictly relevant to that agenda item. The individual shall refrain from asking questions or making requests of the Board or staff. No defamatory or accusatory comments or comments relative to the performance of specific employees or potential employees shall be permitted. The Board shall delay its deliberations on each agenda item until all members of the public who wish to address the Board have been given an opportunity to speak.
In the event that the Board should add an item to its agenda after the Board meeting begins, the 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 Board on each agenda item added. The Board shall delay deliberations on that agenda item until such time as all interested members of the public have had an opportunity to speak.
At the conclusion of all public input on each agenda item, the Board shall deliberate the matter and take such action as it considers appropriate. There shall be no further public input allowed on each agenda item after the Board has begun its deliberation of that item.
Copies of this procedure shall be available for distribution to the public during regular business hours and at meetings of the Board and its committees.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง17:81, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:23
Monroe City School Board