File: BEDH - Public Participation at School Board Meetings

NOTE: While Colorado school districts are not required by law to adopt a policy on this subject, some content in this sample reflects legal requirements school districts must follow. This sample contains the content/language that CASB believes best meets the intent of the law. However, the district should consult with its own legal counsel to determine appropriate language that meets local circumstances and needs.

All regular and special meetings of the Board shall be open to the public. Because the Board desires to hear the viewpoints of all citizens throughout the district and also needs to conduct its business in an orderly and efficient manner, it shall schedule time during some Board meetings for brief comments and questions from the public. Some public comment periods may relate to specific items on the agenda. The Board shall set a time limit on the length of the public participation time and a time limit for individual speakers.

During times of general public comment at a regular meeting, comments and questions may deal with any topic related to the Board's conduct of the schools. Comments at special meetings must be related to the call of the meeting. During times of public comment on specific agenda items, comments shall be confined to the topic of the agenda item being considered by the Board. Speakers may offer such criticism of school operations and programs as concern them, but are encouraged to exercise their speech rights responsibly. The Board encourages the discussion of all personnel matters to be conducted in executive session.

The Board president shall be responsible for recognizing all speakers who shall properly identify themselves, for maintaining proper order and for adherence to any time limits set. Questions asked by the public that require further investigation may be referred to the superintendent or superintendent's designee for consideration and later response.

Members of the public will not be recognized by the president during Board meetings except as noted in this policy.

Members of the public wishing to make formal presentations before the Board should make arrangements in advance with the superintendent so that such presentations, when appropriate, may be scheduled on the agenda.

In addition to public participation time during Board meetings, the Board is committed to engaging members of the community on an ongoing basis regarding community values about education during times other than the Board's regular meetings.

(Adoption date)

LEGAL REF.: C.R.S. 24-6-401 et seq. (open meetings law)

CROSS REF.: KE, Public Concerns and Complaints

[Revised June 2018]