Governance Process Policies
File: 1077 – Public Participation at Board Meetings
All meetings of the Board will be open to the public. Executive Sessions, as called for by the Board to discuss specific issues, in accordance with Ohio law, are not open to the public.
Regular meetings of the Board are for the strict purpose of providing the Board an opportunity to discuss and respond to issues and to take action in public view. Therefore, the procedures described herein will govern public participation at all regular Board meetings and will be strictly followed.
The Board of Education welcomes public comment at its meetings and is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for the public to participate. The Board encourages the public to offer comments and express opinions on both specific actions to be taken by the Board, as well as any other issue directly related to the operation of Olentangy schools. However, speakers are strongly encouraged to discuss their comments and concerns with appropriate school staff members, administrators, and/or Board members before directing such comments to the entire Board during a meeting.
During any public participation session, after all of the speakers have spoken and if time is remaining, each board member will be allowed to make a brief clarifying statement regarding any statement said by the public during the public participation session.
The Board may refer questions/concerns brought by public participants to the Superintendent for review. The Superintendent will report back to the Board after his/her review.
Presiding Board member may shorten or lengthen the overall thirty (30) minute comment period as well as the speaker's five (5) minute time limit should the member deem it necessary. If there is a disagreement by the Board with the presiding member's decision, a vote will be taken, and the majority position will prevail.
Persons desiring more time for a presentation to the Board than is described in this policy should follow the procedure as outlined in Board Policy (Agenda Preparation and Dissemination).
First Public Participation Session
A first session for public comment will be noted on the meeting agenda and will take place immediately prior to the "Discussion Items" section on the agenda. Any person may address the Board on matters relevant to the school district.
Each person who wishes to address the Board during the first public comments session must complete a "Public Participation" form and give the form to the treasurer prior to the beginning of the meeting.
Prior to addressing the Board, the speaker must identify him/herself (including home address) for the taped record. Each speaker must limit his/her comments to no more than five (5) minutes. This time limit will be strictly enforced. The length of the first period of public participation should not exceed thirty (30) minutes.
Second Public Participation Session
An additional period of public participation will take place immediately prior to the "Action Items" section of the agenda, provided such comments are related directly to a particular item on the agenda. Speakers who wish to comment during this section of the agenda will also be restricted to no more than five (5) minutes of presentation time, and an overall thirty (30) minute time limitation will be in force for this second public comment session.
Those wishing to address the Board during this second public comment session must have submitted a completed "Public Participation" form to the treasurer no later than the beginning of the "Action Items" section of the meeting.
ORC 121.22
3313.20
[Second Adoption date: May 13, 2008]
[Adoption date: August 24, 2004]