BEDH - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

BEDH - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

1. Basis for the Policy 

The primary purpose of School Board meetings is to conduct the business of the Board related to Board policies, programs, and operations. The Board encourages residents to attend Board meetings so that they may become acquainted with the operations and programs of the schools.

The Board also recognizes the value of public comments on school and educational matters. To permit fair and orderly expression of public comments at Board business meetings while still allowing the Board to conduct its business efficiently, the Board has established the procedure outlined in this policy. These procedures apply to public comment during regular, special, emergency, and committee meetings, and are designed to balance transparency, community input, and efficient governance.  

The Board provides two structured opportunities for public comment at its meetings:

General Public Comment – A designated time during a meeting when members of the public may provide comments on any topic that is relevant to the business of the Board, regardless of whether it is on the meeting agenda.

Agenda Item Public Comment – A time allocated for public comments specifically related to an individual agenda item, typically after discussion of that item by the Board.

2. Encouraging Community Engagement Beyond Meetings
   
   In addition to speaking during
    
3. community members are encouraged to participate in district affairs in a variety of ways, including (not an exhaustive list): 
   1. Submitting written comments to the Board Chair, Superintendent, or full Board;
   2. Requesting items be added to the Board agenda in accordance with Policy BEDB;
   3. Participating in Board committee meetings, as permitted by the committee chair;
   4. Engaging in Title I family involvement opportunities (Policy KBF);
   5. Attending public events such as open houses, forums, and parent-teacher conferences;
   6. Responding to surveys or other feedback opportunities initiated by the District (Policy KDA);
   7. Using the formal complaint process outlined in Policy KE.
       
4. Public Comment Procedure and Expectations
   
   Individuals who wish to speak during either the General Public Comment or Agenda Item Public Comment period must complete the sign-in form available at the meeting prior to the start of public comment. Each speaker will be required to state their name and town or city of residence before beginning their remarks.
   
   The Board will hear public comments from residents of the school unit first. If time remains in a comment period after all residents have had an opportunity to speak, the Board will permit comments from non-residents.
   1. General Public Comment
      
      The Board will include a General Public Comment Period of up to 30 minutes on the agenda of its regular business meetings. The Board may extend this period in 15-minute increments by a majority weighted vote of the members present and voting.
      
      Individual comments during the General Public Comment Period are limited to three (3) minutes. Each individual may provide one comment per General Public Comment Period. Speakers may not relinquish any portion of their time to another individual.
       
   2. Agenda Item Public Comment
      
      The public may provide input on New Business and Continuing Business items during the Agenda Item Comment Period, which will occur after the Board concludes its discussion of the relevant item. The Board Chair may allow comments on other agenda items (outside of New and Continuing Business) at their discretion. The Board may also, by majority weighted vote, include or remove an Agenda Item Comment Period on any agenda item not already determined by the Chair.
      
      Individual comments during the Agenda Item Comment Period are limited to two (2) minutes per item. Speakers may not relinquish their time to another individual. The Board Chair may reduce individual time limits or close public comment on an agenda item as needed to ensure efficient meeting progress and completion of Board business in accordance with Policy BEDL.  However, if members of the public wish to speak, the agenda item comment period shall last no less than 10 minutes in total, unless all individuals who wish to comment have had an opportunity to do so.
      
       
5. Public Comment at Special, Emergency, and Workshop Meetings
   
   At special, emergency, or workshop meetings, all public comments will be limited to the topic(s) of the particular meeting. The Board may also, by majority weighted vote, include a General Public Comment Period on the agenda of special, emergency or workshop meetings.
    
6. Public Comment Procedures at Committee Meetings
   
   The Board supports public participation at committee meetings as an important part of transparent and inclusive governance. While there is no General Public Comment Period during committee meetings, there are Agenda Item Comment Periods where members of the public may provide input, consistent with the rules outlined in this policy.
   
   All procedures and expectations related to public comment - including time limits, protocols and conduct requirements listed in this policy apply to committee meetings. Committee Chairs have the discretion to allow additional public comment on specific agenda items if they determine that doing so would contribute to the business of the committee.
    
7. Public Comment Protocols and Conduct
   
   Public comment is an opportunity for the public to share their thoughts with the Board. It is not a time for discussion between the public and Board members.  The Board Chair is responsible for ensuring the orderly conduct of Board meetings and for ensuring compliance with this policy, including the following rules of order:
    
   1. Speakers will be recognized by the Board Chair, and comments should be addressed to the Board Chair. Requests for information or concerns that require further research may be referred to the Superintendent for further action, if necessary;
   2. Speakers are expected to follow rules of common etiquette and decorum and refrain from engaging in disruptive conduct, including but not limited to using vulgar and/or obscene language, yelling, threatening others using words or by other actions, making defamatory comments, exceeding the allotted time limits, talking over or interrupting others, offering repetitive comments, and offering comment on matters unrelated to the District’s programs, policies, and operations.
      
      Discussion of personnel matters is not permitted during the public comment due to the privacy, confidentiality and due process rights of school unit employees. For purposes of this policy, “discussion of a personnel matter” means any discussion, whether positive or negative, of job performance or conduct of a school unit employee, including complaints about them.
   3. Discussion of matters involving individual students are also not permitted during the public comment period due to the privacy, confidentiality, and due process rights of the school unit’s students.
   4. Any concerns about personnel matters and/or student matters should be directed to the Superintendent or another appropriate administrator outside of Board meetings so that they can be addressed through an alternative channel and in a manner consistent with privacy, confidentiality, and due process rights of the individuals involved.
   5. The Board Chair will stop any public comment that is contrary to these rules.
   6. Individuals who disrupt a Board meeting may be asked to leave in order to allow the Board to conduct its business in an orderly manner. The Board Chair may request the assistance of law enforcement if necessary to address disruptions or safety concerns.

Legal References:
20-A MRSA § 1001(20)
20-A MRSA § 6101
1 MRSA § 405

Cross References:
BE – School Board Meetings
BEDB – Agenda
BEDB-R – Agenda Format
BEDL – Time Limit of Board Meetings
BEC – Executive Sessions
KBF - Title I Parent/Guardian Involvement
KDA - Public Information Program
KE –  Public Concerns and Complaints

Adopted:   06/01/09
Revised: 11/01/10
Revised: 10/16/17
Revised: 6/6/22
Revised 5/1/23
Revised: 6/2/2025