FILE: BCBI
Cf: BCBD, BCBK
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board desires all citizens of the parish to attend School Board meetings so that they may become better acquainted with the schools, and in order for the School Board to have an opportunity to hear the desires and/or ideas of the public on educational issues within St. John the Baptist Parish.
It is the policy of the 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 do so in accordance with policy BCBD, Agenda Preparation and Dissemination. Each delegation appearing before the School Board shall select in advance one (1) person as its spokesperson and statements shall be presented in a concise manner.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
A public comment period shall be held before any vote is taken on an agenda item. Comments from the public shall occur after introduction of the item to be voted on and before any discussion by School Board members. However, a person is not entitled to take up business before the School Board unless the item in which he/she is interested has been placed on the agenda of that meeting, except during the public session of the agenda.
As the School Board reaches each item on its agenda listed for which a vote shall be taken, the School Board President shall recognize 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 five (5) 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 President shall, with the approval of the School Board, set a time limitation for an agenda item.
In the event that the School Board should add an item listed for which a vote shall be taken 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. 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, and shall facilitate participation by any such person who requests that accommodation prior to the meeting. Members of the public who desire to participate in this fashion shall certify that they meet the definition of a person with a disability recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act when they submit, prior to public meetings, 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.
New policy: April, 2023
Revised:
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง17:81, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:23
Board minutes,
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board