The Board appreciates the public sharing its views, concerns and commendations, and the members will be listening carefully. The purpose of public address is for the Board to hear from members of the public. By policy, the Board will not respond to speakers during the meeting. Matters of concern may be referred to a Board committee, the administration, or held over for further discussion at a subsequent meeting. The Superintendent will follow up with individuals as appropriate.
Speakers may only provide public comment in person.
A sign-up sheet for members of the public who wish to speak in person will be available from 4:45 to 5:25 p.m. on the day of the meeting at the location of the meeting.
Speakers who sign up to address the Board will be called up in order in which they signed up.
Complaints about school personnel are usually most effectively addressed with the Administration at the school or Central Office levels, or through other existing Board policies, and those alternatives are encouraged by the Board.
The Board appreciates courteous and respectful presentations. Obscene, vulgar, indecent, abusive, threatening, or profane statements or statements reasonably perceived to be disruptive or imminently threatening to the orderly operation of the meeting shall not be permitted.
Time is limited to 3 minutes per individual speaker. A clock is displayed on the screen to allow the speaker to know when his/her time is up. The speaker is expected to stop when the countdown is complete.
Substitute speakers will not be permitted, and speakers may not donate any portion of their time to another speaker. Recorded comments or reading comments of other individuals are not permitted.
If the speaker has some printed information to share with Board members, the items should be handed to the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Education, Cindy Parker, who will be responsible for distribution.
The Board will allow for a total of two hours of in-person public comment but may reduce the time if necessary to cover other agenda items. If speakers cannot be accommodated due to time constraints, then the Board may reduce the time allotted per speaker and/or defer speakers to the top of the list at the next regular Board meeting.
All comments must be respectful and civil per ordinary rules of order and decorum.
Any person who fails to comply with these guidelines or causes substantial or continued disruption to the orderly conduct of the Board of Education's business will be removed. Failure to vacate the meeting after being directed is a criminal offense in violation of
N.C. Gen. Stat. §143-318.17.