School Board Support Inbox
schoolboardsupport@bccs286.org

 These guidelines are for individuals desiring to speak during the Open Forum portion of the School Board meeting agenda.

The School Board will strive to give citizens of the school district (taxpayer, parent, staff member) an opportunity to be heard and to have comments considered and evaluated, within the limits of the law and District policy subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions.

At least 15 minutes prior to each meeting, a speaker card will be available at the meeting site for citizens to sign up to provide comments on a topic that is on the agenda. Individuals are asked to sign their name, phone number, mailing address, school represented, and give a brief summary of the intended statement or question(s) they would like answered. Once the Open Forum has begun NO additional cards will be accepted.

In addition, citizens who wish to address the School Board on a particular subject should identify the agenda item(s) to which their comments pertain and will have an opportunity to speak during the Open Forum portion before the Business Meeting. The rules of the Open Forum are established by the Board and must be followed by participants.

Open Forum Comment guidelines are as follows:

1. Speakers shall complete a speaker card prior to speaking (Found at the sign-in desk at the meeting, or by emailing schoolboardsupport@bccs286.org)
2. Time limits: three minutes per speaker. Longer time may be granted at the discretion of the Board Chair.
3. The Board Chair (or designee) will facilitate the Open Forum and will call on speakers. One person at a time will speak so everyone can hear.

The School Board is interested in your comments and will listen carefully but does not respond or debate issues in this forum. Board members may ask clarifying questions or seek additional information, but they will not make decisions. 

Comments and interactions between Board members and the public are expected to be respectful, courteous and professional, and civil. The Board Chair will be responsible for ensuring that interaction meets these standards and will disallow inappropriate interactions.

Attacks against individuals, programs, or groups by anyone addressing the Board are unacceptable and will terminate the person’s privilege to address the Board. Due to data privacy laws referring to an individual by name will be ruled out of order. Speakers unwilling to abide by the rules or time constraints will be asked to stop.

Depending upon the number of persons in attendance seeking to be heard, the School Board reserves the right to impose such other limitations and restrictions as necessary in order to provide an orderly, efficient, and fair opportunity for those present to be heard.