FILE: BCBI
Cf: BCBK
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
It is the policy of the Bossier 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 and place an item on the agenda shall submit their written requests to the Superintendent at least seven (7) 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. The Superintendent shall review the item(s) and determine whether such item(s) shall be included on the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
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. It shall also be posted on the School Board’s website. 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. No defamatory or accusatory comments, or comments relative to the performance of specific employees or potential employees, shall be permitted. The School Board shall delay its deliberations on each agenda item until all members of the public who have submitted cards in accordance with this procedure have been given an opportunity to speak.
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 a period not to exceed three (3) minutes to address the School Board on each added agenda item.
Public comment shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes on any one agenda item, unless the School Board President authorizes the extension of such time to allow more public input.
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.
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 if such person requests that accommodation prior to the meeting. Members of the public who desire to participate in this fashion, or their designated caretakers, shall certify that they meet the definition of a person with a disability recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act when they submit 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. The Superintendent shall promulgate such rules, regulations, and procedures as necessary to regulate and facilitate such participation.
Revised: April, 2017
Revised: September 21, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:23
Board minutes, 9-21-23
Bossier Parish School Board