Policy: Public Participation in Board Meetings
For information related to Policies and Procedures, contact the Legislative and Policy Administrator at 678-301-7031.
Public Participation in Board Meetings
| Level: | Accompanying Procedure: | Descriptor Code: | Rescinds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy B-School Board Operations |
BCBI | May 20, 2021 | |
| Descriptor Term: | Effective Date: | ||
| Public Participation in Board Meetings | May 19, 2022 | ||
In accordance with the Georgia Open Meeting Act, all official meetings of the Gwinnett County Board of Education shall be open to the media and public. The Board reserves the right to meet, and to adjourn or recess a meeting, at any time to discuss such matters as may be properly considered in executive session.
The Board values receiving feedback from students, parents, teachers, staff and members of the public regarding matters pertaining to the operation of Gwinnett County Public Schools.
Citizens wishing to address the Board with an issue or concern should attempt to resolve the matter through the appropriate district or school administrative Chain of Command before bringing it to the Board. Use the following link to review this process.
In order to assure that persons who wish to appear before the Board may be heard and, at the same time, allow the Board to conduct its meetings properly and efficiently, the Board adopts the following policy pertaining to public participation in meetings:
- PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: Thirty minutes will be provided at the beginning of the Board’s Monthly Business Meeting for public comment on matters appearing on the agenda for Board consideration. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes to speak to the Board on any matter appearing on the agenda, unless either the time is limited or an extension of time is granted. The speaker will be expected to conclude his or her remarks promptly when the allotted time has expired.
- In the event more speakers have signed up to speak during this section than can be accommodated, speakers will be selected randomly not more than 24 hours prior to the meeting. The first half of the speaking slots will be filled by a random selection of the students who have signed up to address the board. In the event the number of students is less than half of the speaking slots or the first half of speaking slots have been filled by students, any remaining slots will be filled randomly by all remaining speakers who have signed up to address the Board. The Board will notify those who have been selected to speak prior to the Board Meeting.
- In the event more speakers have signed up to speak during this section than can be accommodated, speakers will be selected randomly not more than 24 hours prior to the meeting. The first half of the speaking slots will be filled by a random selection of the students who have signed up to address the board. In the event the number of students is less than half of the speaking slots or the first half of speaking slots have been filled by students, any remaining slots will be filled randomly by all remaining speakers who have signed up to address the Board. The Board will notify those who have been selected to speak prior to the Board Meeting.
- PUBLIC COMMENT ON SCHOOL POLICY OR OPERATIONS: Sixty minutes will be provided for public comment on matters pertaining to the operation of the Gwinnett County Public Schools or policy relating to such operation during the Monthly Business Meeting. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes to speak to the Board on any matter appearing on the agenda, unless either the time is limited or an extension of time is granted. The speaker will be expected to conclude his or her remarks promptly when the allotted time has expired.
- In the event more speakers have signed up for an opportunity to speak during this section that can be accommodated, speakers will be selected randomly not more than 24 hours prior to the meeting. The first half of the speaking slots will be filled by a random selection of the students who have signed up to address the board. In the event the number of students is less than half of the speaking slots or the first half of speaking slots have been filled by students, any remaining slots will be filled randomly by all remaining speakers who have signed up to address the Board. The Board will notify those who have been selected to speak prior to the Board Meeting.
- In the event more speakers have signed up for an opportunity to speak during this section that can be accommodated, speakers will be selected randomly not more than 24 hours prior to the meeting. The first half of the speaking slots will be filled by a random selection of the students who have signed up to address the board. In the event the number of students is less than half of the speaking slots or the first half of speaking slots have been filled by students, any remaining slots will be filled randomly by all remaining speakers who have signed up to address the Board. The Board will notify those who have been selected to speak prior to the Board Meeting.
- A citizen wishing to appear during the Public Comment on Agenda Items portion or during the School Policy or Operations portion of the Monthly Business Meeting agenda to speak before the Board, as an individual or representing a group, shall notify the Superintendent in writing by 7:00 p.m. on the day prior to the Board's Monthly Business Meeting by filling out the Request Form, specifically identifying the subject he/she wishes to address.
- The Request Form (How to Address the Board) will capture the following type of information ensuring the most effective use of the time set aside for public comments:
- Name, mailing address, phone number, email address
- Group or organizations speaking on behalf of
- Subject or topic on which individual is addressing the Board
- Need for translative services
- Comment/feedback
- Upon request by noon, the day of the Board Meeting, a speaker shall be allowed to present via remote connection. The district will make no more than two attempts to contact the individual.
- The Request Form (How to Address the Board) will capture the following type of information ensuring the most effective use of the time set aside for public comments:
- The speaker shall begin his/her comments by stating his/her name and the group, if any, the speaker is representing. The speaker may not yield his/her time to another individual.
- Individuals will not be denied the opportunity to speak based upon their viewpoint, however speakers shall comport with the code of conduct set forth in paragraph 11 below.
- The speaker's comments shall be directed to the Board as a body and not to an individual Board member. The Board members or Superintendent may ask questions for clarification but will not necessarily engage in discussion with the speaker.
- Supporting documents or information to be shared with the Board must be provided in hard copy. Eight copies should be provided and should be presented to the Superintendent for distribution to the Board members. Audiovisual presentations are discouraged and may not be accommodated due to time and technical considerations.
- If requested, a speaker will receive a written response from the appropriate district administrator within thirty (30) calendar days.
- The Board vests in its chairperson or other presiding officer the authority to terminate the remarks of any individual who does not adhere to the rules established here. The Chairperson or other presiding officer shall have the discretion to limit the length of time for individual comments, the number of times an individual can address the Board and the number of individuals speaking for or against a specific issue at each public comment portion.
- The Board is committed to digitally streaming the monthly board meetings to the extent permitted by law and barring technical difficulties.
- In furtherance of ensuring decorum, allowing the Board to efficiently conduct its business and setting a positive example for students attending or watching Board adopts the following Rules of Conduct for attendance and participation at Board Meetings:
- Attendees should refrain from any conduct which impedes the ability of the Board to conduct an orderly meeting. The Board finds that an “actual disruption” is any action by an attendee or speaker which interrupt or impede the Board in its conduct of business in an orderly manner, including but not limited to the failure to comply with any provision of these Rules of Conduct.
- An attendee or speaker who causes an actual disruption shall be first given a warning by the Board Chairperson, Presiding Officer or Superintendent directing the attendee to cease the disruptive conduct. In the event the attendee fails to comply with the directive(s) of the Board Chairperson or Superintendent, then the attendee may be removed from the meeting.
- In addition to removal from the meeting an attendee/speaker may face additional consequences for creating an actual disruption, including a trespass warning restricting access to future meetings, referral for criminal investigation and/or prosecution, and/or immediate arrest by a law enforcement officer.
- Participants should refrain from jeering, shouting, applause or making comments from the floor while the Board is conducting its business and while others are making public comments to the Board.
- Speakers must end their remarks when the allotted time expires.
- All participants and attendees should refrain from any kind of communication in speech, writing or behavior, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender or other identity factor.
- All participants and attendees should refrain from making threats of violence.
- All participants and attendees should refrain from the use of profanity.
- Speakers may offer objective criticisms of school operations and programs, but to maintain appropriate meeting decorum, follow appropriate protocols, protect the confidentiality of students, prevent defamatory statements and ensure the impartiality of the Board, the Board will not entertain comments on matters involving individual students, parents or the character, professional competence, or the physical or mental health of any individual. The Board will not take public comment on personnel matters that specifically include the names or titles of employees; this includes but is not limited to: contract non renewals, position abolishment, the hiring or firing of staff, and investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct.
- In order to maintain appropriate meeting decorum and to set an example for the Gwinnett County Public Schools’ students, all participants and attendees of Board meetings should refrain from defamatory statements or personal attacks during Board meetings.
- Attendees shall not wear clothing which includes profanity, obscenity, or threats of violence.
- Attendees shall not bring signs or posters into the meeting.
- Attendees shall adhere to all mandated health and safety requirements applicable to attendees.
- Attendees shall not possess weapons in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127, O.C.G.A. §16-11-127, or other applicable law.
- Attendees should refrain from any conduct which impedes the ability of the Board to conduct an orderly meeting. The Board finds that an “actual disruption” is any action by an attendee or speaker which interrupt or impede the Board in its conduct of business in an orderly manner, including but not limited to the failure to comply with any provision of these Rules of Conduct.