FILE:   BCBI

Cf:  BCB, BCBD

Cf:  BCBK

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

 

 

The Beauregard Parish School Board encourages citizens to appear and present to the School Board any matter relative to the improvement of the School System, and the School Board policy provides for an individual citizen or group of citizens to be heard on a specific agenda item as listed on the official School Board agenda.  Presentations to the School Board shall be allowed in accordance with the following guidelines:

 

  1. A citizen who wishes to speak on a specific agenda item for which a vote will betaken shall present the request in writing.  A form for this purpose and copies of these guidelines shall be made available at the School Board office reception desk.

 

  1. The request must be completed and given to the School Board president or put on the School Board table at the president’s place by 5:45 p.m. the day of the School Board meeting (6:00 p.m. when no committee meeting has been held), except for those items added to the revised agenda, which may be addressed at the time of the meeting without prior request.  A citizen shall fill out a request form for each item about which he/she wishes to speak.

  2. The written request must include the specific topic to be presented and the name and telephone number of the presenter or contact person.

 

  1. In the event that the School Board should add an item for which a vote will 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 complete a green card and submit to the president/designee to address the School Board on each added agenda item for which a vote will be taken.

  2. If a group of citizens are to be represented, one individual shall be selected in advance to serve as a spokesperson, and shall be named on the written request to speak.

  3. Only discussion relevant to the specific agenda item upon which a vote shall be taken shall be allowed.  Presentations shall be brief, yet include all pertinent facts and information concerning the agenda item.  Presentations shall be limited to five (5) minutes, unless the time limit is waived by a majority of the School Board members present.

  4. At the beginning of a presentation, the presenter is required to state his or her name, address, and the group, if any, that he or she is representing.

  5. Persons appearing before the School Board are encouraged to provide a written copy of their presentation, and any additional information for study and consideration by the School Board and staff.

  6. Speakers may offer objective criticism of School Board policy, administrative procedures and programs but the School Board shall not hear charges or complaints against individual employees in an open meeting.  All such charges and complaints must be presented to the Superintendent and School Board in writing, signed by the complainant.  The President will immediately bring this to the attention of any speaker who does not adhere to this guideline.

  7. An employee or student who wishes to present criticism, charges or complaints to the School Board shall follow board adopted grievance procedures required by Louisiana Revised Statutes.

 

The School Board vests in the President or Presiding Officer, the prerogative to determine whether or not a given speaker is acting within the guidelines of this policy, and full authority to invoke termination of the remarks of any person.

 

Persons appearing before the School Board are reminded, as a point of information, that, although requests may be directed to the School Board, action and the answers to many questions must be deferred pending staff study and School Board consideration.

 

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.

 

Adopted:  March 15, 1977 Revised:  February 9, 1995
Revised:  April 8, 1985 Revised:  September 8, 2005
Revised:  November 9, 1987 Revised:  July 9, 2007
Revised:  March 12, 1990 Revised:  August 10, 2023

 

 

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

Board minutes, 9-8-05, 7-9-07, 10-9-08, 8-10-23

 

Beauregard Parish School Board