FILE: BCBI
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
It is the policy of the Jefferson 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 private matters as provided by State Law. At no time shall actions be taken or resolutions made during executive session.
There are two (2) procedures by which the School Board encourages public participation:
Delegations or individuals may submit a request to the Superintendent at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date, stating the matters they wish to take up with the School Board. The Superintendent shall attempt to meet with the person(s) requesting to address the School Board to attempt to satisfy the concerns expressed in the written request. If this is not successful, one person may be selected in advance by the delegation to speak to the School Board for not more than ten (10) minutes. An individual will follow this same procedure and will be allowed up to ten (10) minutes to address the School Board. The items that a delegation or individual wish to discuss will be added to the agenda after the 48 hour notice has been given prior to the School Board meeting date and the issue has not been resolved by the Superintendent.
An individual wishing to address an agenda item published on any official School Board meeting agenda for that meeting may appear prior to the School Board meeting starting time and complete a request card to address a single agenda item. That person will be allowed to address the agenda item only prior to the School Board's discussion of an action on the item. A separate request card must be completed for each agenda item to be addressed. The person will be allowed up to three (3) minutes to address a single agenda item. A group or delegation is always encouraged to select a spokesperson.
In the event that the School Board should add an item 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.
The President of the Board or Committee Chairperson will recognize persons at the School Board meetings for the purpose of introducing such persons.
No one under the age of eighteen (18) years of age may address the School Board unless accompanied by his/her parent, guardian, or teacher, except with the approval of the School Board. A person appearing before the School Board shall not discuss any pending motion before the School Board unless the School Board votes to hear such discussion.
Boisterous conduct shall not be permitted at any meeting of the School Board, nor shall any defamatory or abusive remarks be tolerated. Any speaker who violates this regulation may have his/her right to speak terminated by the President of the School Board or Committee Chairman. The President or the Committee Chairman shall have the right to remove anyone in attendance at the meeting who interrupts the orderly process of a School Board meeting.
Speakers who wish to address the School Board as candidates for political office will not be granted permission to do so.
Revised: September, 1997
Revised: September, 2008
Approved: October 16, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง17:81, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:23
Board minutes, 9-20-96, 9-18-97, 10-16-08
Jefferson Davis Parish School Board