MARPLE NEWTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY
 

903. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN BOARD MEETINGS
1.  Purpose
 The Board recognizes the value to school governance of public comment on educational issues and the importance of involving members of the public in Board meetings.
   
2.  Authority In order to permit fair and orderly expression of such comment, the Board will provide a period for public participation and will formulate rules to govern such public participation in Board meetings.
   
3.  Delegation of Responsibility The presiding officer at each public Board meeting will follow the rules of the Board for conduct of public meetings in accordance with this policy and Policy 006. The presiding officer shall be guided by the following rules:
  • Public participation shall be permitted only as indicated on the order of business in the Procedures of this Board.
  • All persons wishing to officially appear on the agenda at regular meetings must register their intent, in writing, with the Secretary prior to 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
  • Participants must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface their comments by an announcement of their name, address, and group affiliation, if appropriate.
  • Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to three (3) minutes duration.
  • All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer; no participant may address or question Board members individually.
The presiding officer may:
  • Interrupt or terminate a participant's statement when the statement is too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant;
  • Request any individual to leave the meeting when that person does not observe reasonable decorum;
  • Request the assistance of law enforcement officers in the removal of a disorderly person when that person's conduct interferes with the orderly progress of the meeting; or
  • Call a recess or an adjournment to another time when the lack of public decorum so interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting as to warrant such action.
Electronic recording devices and cameras other than those used as official recording devises will be permitted at meetings under rules provided by the Board.

No placards or banners will be permitted within the meeting room or on school grounds without prior approval.

The meeting agenda and all pertinent documents shall be distributed to the press and public at the meetings.

This policy will be attached to each Board meeting agenda.