FILE: BCBI
Cf: BCBK
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
It is the policy of the Iberia 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. 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 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 School 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 School Board, reserving, however, to the Superintendent authority to determine whether such items will be included on the agenda. If not submitted on time to be placed on the agenda, the item will be held over for consideration for adding to the next scheduled meeting of the School Board. Each delegation appearing before the School 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
A public comment period shall be held before any vote is taken on an agenda item. Comments from the public shall occur after introduction of the item to be voted on and before any discussion by School Board members. 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.
Before each meeting of the School Board, a copy of the agenda for that meeting shall be posted at the meeting place or otherwise conspicuously displayed. Any person wishing to speak on any of the items listed in the agenda must complete and submit a card containing the name of the person, the name of any organization or group for whom the individual wishes to speak and the specific agenda item about which the person wishes to speak. A separate card must be completed and submitted for each different agenda item on which the individual would like to address the School Board.
The comment cards shall be collected and forwarded to the School Board President at the beginning of the meeting. No comment card shall be accepted after the meeting begins.
As the School Board reaches each item on its agenda, the School Board President shall review the submitted cards and call upon those persons indicating a desire to speak on that item. No individual may speak without first being recognized by the presiding officer. Each person may speak for not more than three (3) minutes on each 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 approach the podium. The 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 School Board or staff.
In the event that the School Board should add an item to its agenda after the School Board meeting begins, the Scool 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 a period not to exceed three (3) minutes to address the School Board on each added agenda item. 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.
At the conclusion of all public input on each agenda item, the School 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 School 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 School Board and its committees.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง17:81, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:23
Iberia Parish School Board