Policy: 1430
By-Laws of the Board
Audience Participation at Board Meetings
The Board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of involving members of the public in its meetings and that public comment at regular Board meetings where final action is taken is required by law. In order to permit fair and orderly expression of such public comment, the Board will either provide a period of time towards the end of the regular school board meetings during which visitors may present oral comments to the Board or allow for written comment prior to or at the regular Board meetings. If possible, such oral comments should be scheduled in advance. Public comment is not required in emergency situations even when final action is taken. If an oral comment is allowed and an individual, who has difficulty attending the meeting in-person requests an opportunity to provide oral comment remotely, the district will provide this opportunity when feasible.
Individuals wishing to give public comment to the Board will first be recognized by the chair/president or designee. Individuals, after identifying themselves, will proceed to make comments within the time limits established by the Board. Families with students who attend a school in the district or community members who live in the district shall be given speaking time priority over other members of the public who do not receive services from the district. An individual may only provide public comment to the Board once per meeting. Any representative of a firm eligible to bid on materials or services solicited by the Board will also be entitled to express an opinion. The chair/president or designee may interrupt or terminate an individual's statement when, but not limited to, it is too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, obscene, uncivil, or irrelevant. The Board as a whole has the final decision in determining the appropriateness of all such rulings.
Attendance at in-person Board meetings by the public is based upon their ability to act in a civil manner. Attendees are expected to follow the rules and guidelines set forth by the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District. To promote a safe and civil environment, attendees should refrain from wearing articles of clothing that promote drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence, weapons, gang affiliation or activity, is sexually suggestive, profane/obscene, or displays hate symbols or content that unreasonably disrupts the board meeting is prohibited.
Any violation of this policy will result in the participant being issued a reminder to correct their behavior. If the participant refuses to comply with this policy they will be removed from the Board meeting and/or issued a no trespass.
The Board will not respond to questions or challenges made during the public comment period and the Board’s silence will not signal agreement or endorsement of the speaker’s remarks. The Board may control the time, place and manner of public comment. The Board President, or meeting Chair, may terminate an individual’s statement when the allotted time has passed and may interrupt a speaker when uncivil comments are made. Examples of uncivil comments include comments that:
- Are libelous or slanderous
- Are an unwarranted invasion of privacy
- Are obscene or indecent pursuant to the Federal Communications Act or any rule or regulation of the Federal Communications Commission
- Violate school district policy or procedure related to harassment, intimidation, bullying or discrimination
- Incite an unlawful act on school premises or violate a lawful school regulation
- Create a material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the Board Meeting.
The Board, as a whole, has the final decision in determining the appropriateness of all such rulings and can maintain order by removing those who are disruptive.
The following are topics that will not be discussed in Audience Comments, including charges or complaints against employees, employment or dismissal of personnel, acquisition of real estate, lawyer-client relationships, campaigning (pursuant to RCW 42.17A.555) and parameters for negotiations should not be discussed in audience comments.
Individuals with disabilities who may need a modification to participate in a meeting should contact the superintendent’s office no later than three (3) days before a regular meeting and as soon as possible in advance of a special meeting so that arrangements for the modification can be made.
Cross References:
1400 - Meeting Conduct, Order of Business and Quorum
Legal References:
RCW 42.30.030 Meetings declared open and public
RCW 42.30.050 Interruptions - Procedures
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 - 12213
HB1329
Previously Policy No. 1451
Revised: 11/2005, 02/2012, 01/2018, 10/2021, 12/2021, 05/2022, 10/2023