Adopted: 04/16/2007

186-Rule

School District of Prairie Farm

Guidelines for Public Comment at Board Meetings

The following guidelines for public comment at Board meetings shall be adhered to:

1. The Board president shall recognize all speakers during the initial public

comment portion of the meeting. Speakers shall indicate the topic or agenda item

they wish to address. General comments will be heard at this point in the

meeting. Comments specific to a published agenda item will be heard

immediately prior to the Board’s discussion of the topic. Citizens may comment in the second public comment period if so desired following the same guidelines established in the initial public comment period, except the second comment period would be reserved for clarification of conversation of the first comment period only.

2. Each person, when called, shall give his/her name and address and the name of

any group he/she represents.

3. Citizens should limit their remarks to five (5) minutes unless an extension is

granted by the Board President.

4. Comments and questions at a regular meeting may deal with any topic related to the Board’s management of the schools. However, discussion of personnel or of individual members of the Board shall not be considered appropriate. Comments at special meetings must be related to the reason(s) for calling the meeting.

5. In order for the Board to fairly and adequately discharge its overall responsibility, citizens who wish to make requests, presentations or proposals to the Board are requested to attempt to direct these to the District Administrator. He/she shall deal with such requests, presentations or proposals directly if possible, or consider that they become part of the Board’s advance agenda. This procedure will:

a. Allow a citizen who wishes it, a fair and adequate hearing.

b. Allow the District Administrator to take direct action, or to recommend

action to the Board, when policies have already been established by the

Board.

c. Minimize the possibility of the Board’s making ill-advised, illegal, or

improper rulings due to hasty action in the absence of adequate

information and study, especially when a policy does not exist, a change in

policy is proposed, or an exception to policy is specifically requested.

CROSS REFERENCE:. Public Comments at Board Meetings