213 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN BOARD MEETINGS
213 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN BOARD MEETINGSThe board recognizes the importance of citizen participation in school district matters. In order to assure citizens are heard and board meetings are conducted efficiently and in an organized manner, the board shall set aside a specific time for public comment.
Citizens wishing to address the board during public comment must notify the board secretary prior to the board meeting. The board president will recognize these individuals to make their comments at the appropriate time during the public comment. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the board may also do so at this time. The board however, will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents.
The board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation. Normally, speakers will be limited to 3 minutes with a total allotted time for public participation of 20 minutes. However, the board president may modify this time limit, if deemed appropriate or necessary. Public comment is a time set aside for community input, but the board will not discuss or take any action on any matter during the public comment.
A public comment shall be limited to regular board meetings and will not be routinely held during special board meetings.
The board has a significant interest in maintaining the decorum of its meetings and it is expected that members of the public and the board will address each other with civility. The orderly process of the board meeting will not be interfered with or disrupted by public comment. Only individuals recognized by the board president will be allowed to speak. Comments by others are out of order. If disruptive, the individual causing disruption may be asked to leave the board meeting. Defamatory comments may be subject to legal action.
NOTE: Members of the public do not have a legal right to participate in board meetings. Boards need to make the determination of how best, if at all, to involve the public in their board meetings. Boards that follow other practices for allowing the public to participate in board meetings should amend this policy to reflect their practice.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 21; 22; 279.8
Cross Reference: 205 Board Member Liability
210.8 Board Meeting Agenda
214 Public Hearings
307 Communication Channels
402.5 Public Complaints About Employees
Approved 11/20/00 Reviewed 1/24/24 Revised 11/15/2021
213.1R1 GENERAL COMPLAINTS BY CITIZENS
213.1R1 GENERAL COMPLAINTS BY CITIZENSRescinded 9/15/21
Approved 2/13/78 Reviewed 9/15/21 Revised 11/20/00
Policy 213.1 PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
Policy 213.1 PUBLIC COMPLAINTSPolicy 213.1 PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
The board recognizes situations may arise in the operation of the school district which are not of concern to parents and other members of the school district community. The board firmly believes concerns should be resolved at the lowest organizational level by those individuals closest to the concern. Whenever a complaint of concern is brought to the attention of the board it will be referred to the Chain of Command protocols.
Prior to board action however, the following should be completed:
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Matters should first be addressed to the teacher or employee.
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Unsettled matters from (a) above or problems and questions about individual attendance centers should be addressed to the employee's building principal.
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Unsettled matters from (b) above or problems and questions concerning the school district should be directed to the superintendent.
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If a matter cannot be settled satisfactorily by the superintendent, it may then be brought to the board for consideration. To bring a concern, the individual shall notify the board president or board secretary in writing, who may bring it to the attention of the entire board.
Approved 9/15/21 Reviewed Revised 1/24/24