Public Comments

The Board recognizes its deliberations benefit greatly from public input and perspective. In order to allow the public to address the Board on BCSD and school-related topics, the Board will hold two (2) Public Comment periods at its regularly called Board meetings. The first Public Comment period shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes and be limited to topics on the Board Meeting agenda, and the second shall not exceed fifteen (15) minutes.

A. Speakers participating in person shall read and fully complete a Public Comment Card and submit it to the Board’s Executive Assistant. Public Comment Cards will be available at the Board's meeting site beginning thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled Board meeting begins. Persons will be heard in the order Public Comment cards are provided to the Board’s Executive Assistant.

B. Speakers participating in public comments virtually will need to submit their requests to participate beginning thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled Board meeting begins. Virtual public commenters shall submit the online public comment request form to receive a phone call during Public Comments.

C. Issues involving pending litigation are not subjects for public comment participation.

D. The use of physically threatening actions or remarks, comments or conduct by speakers or members of the audience are prohibited, and any behavior that willfully disrupts a meeting to the extent that the orderly conduct of the meeting is seriously compromised is prohibited.

E. No presentation by a speaker shall exceed three (3) minutes. The Chair will strictly enforce this time limit. A suitable timing device shall be employed to notify the speaker of the end of his/her comment period. Speakers shall not yield their time to another speaker.

F. Persons appearing before the Board should be aware that Board members are without authority to act independently as individuals in official matters. Neither the Board nor individual members will respond to speakers during public comment.

G. The Board Chair will designate a location for public comment. Persons shall remain in such location during their allotted time for public comment. Documents to be provided to the Board by a public commenter shall be provided to the Board’s Executive Assistant following the commenter’s appearance. Persons who have not had the opportunity to deliver comments publicly may submit written public comments to the Board’s Executive Assistant.

Participants will follow the rules set for public comments for Board meetings. Committee meetings will have one public comment period.

A. By reading and acknowledging acceptance prior to speaking during the public comment period, speakers attest that they understand and will follow the Board’s procedures.

B. Those attending a meeting or speaking during public comment period who cause a willful disruption of the meeting will be warned by the Chair. A continued disruption may result in a speaker being asked to conform to the rules of public participation. If any person attending a meeting refuses to follow these rules, further disrupting the meeting, the Chair may take reasonable appropriate action to ensure the continued orderly conduct of the meeting.