BEDHPUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT
BOARD MEETINGS
BEDH(Public Commentary During Board Meetings)
All regular and special meetings of the Board shall be open to the public for viewing. The Board will include public commentary on the agenda at its regular meetings.
The Board welcomes the respectful and civil input of citizens on matters within the jurisdiction of the Board. The responsible presentation of these viewpoints is vital to the efficient operation of the District. The Board also recognizes its responsibility for the proper governance of the schools and therefore the need to conduct its business in an orderly and efficient manner. The Board therefore establishes the following policy to receive input from citizens during its open call to the public:
A. Persons may only comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Governing Board.
B. Any individual desiring to address the Board shall complete any registration process established for making public comments, including without limitation completing a form (Request to Address Board) and submitting it to the Superintendent prior to the start of the Board meeting. The District shall develop regulations and Request to Address Board forms that align with this policy which may include a digital or electronic process.
C. The Board may choose to hear public comments in person, via online submissions posted publicly, or through any means that allows the public to provide input to the Board on matters within its authority. The District shall develop regulations and any necessary forms that align with this policy and such regulation shall be implemented fairly and consistently.
D. The Board President shall be responsible for recognizing speakers, maintaining proper order, and adhering to any time limit set, including time limits set for the total time for all public comment and time for each individual speaker. Each individual will be allowed up to 2 minutes to speak if public comment is being provided in person. The Board President may prioritize those wishing to speak to items on the agenda so that public input can be timely heard on matters before the Board, however in no event shall the point of view of individual speakers be considered in the prioritization. Board members shall not engage in back-and-forth discussion with speakers.
E. The Board President may implement reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions during open calls to the public, including without limitation: 1) setting an overall time limit on the length of the comment period of no less than thirty (30) minutes; 2) setting a time limit for individual speakers not to exceed two (2) minutes, and 3) prioritizing comments so that matters listed on the agenda are heard in a timely manner. The Board President may also end an individual’s comment period if the individual’s comment disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the Board’s meeting, including without limitation if an individual's comment becomes threatening, becomes vulgar or profane, falls outside the jurisdiction of the Governing Board, or by speaking too long after the set time period has expired.
F. Political speech that would be construed as electioneering under applicable Arizona law is prohibited and the Board President will instruct the speaker to refrain from such commentary. The Board President shall end an individual’s comment period if electioneering continues.
G. Speakers are not allowed to approach the dais at any time during the Governing Board meeting unless permission is given by the Board President.
H. Personal attacks upon Board members, staff personnel, or other persons in attendance or absent, by individuals who address the Board are discouraged. Policies KE, KEB, KEC, and KED are provided by the Board for disposition of legitimate complaints, including those involving individuals.
At the conclusion of an open call to the public, Board members may respond to criticism made by those who have addressed the public body, may ask District staff to review a matter or may ask that a matter be put on a future agenda. However, members of the public body shall not discuss or take legal action on matters raised during an open call to the public unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action.
The Superintendent shall ensure that a copy of this policy is posted at the entrance to the Board meeting room, and that request to speak forms are accessible to all members of the public wanting to provide comment prior to the start of the Board meeting.
Adopted: March 8, 2022
LEGAL REF.:
A.R.S.
38-431.01
CROSS REF.:
BDB - Board Officers
BE - School Board Meetings
BEDB - Agenda
BHC - Board Communications with Staff Members
BHD - Board Communications with the Public
KEB - Public Concerns/Complaints about Personnel