Public Forum or Agenda Item Speaker Request

  • EPISD Board Meetings Pubic Participation. BED (Local)

    OPEN FORUM

    At regular monthly meetings the Board may elect to hear, for up to one hour, persons who desire to make comments to the Board. Speakers addressing the Board on items not listed on the agenda must sign up to speak during open forum. The open forum portion of the meeting shall be conducted prior to the Board convening in executive session.

    At all other times during a Board meeting, the audience shall not enter into discussion or debate on matters being considered by the Board, unless requested by the presiding officer.

    LIMIT ON PARTICIPATION

    An individual shall be limited to three minutes to address the Board during open forum. Speakers on any one agenda item/topic shall be limited to three individuals in favor of a particular result and three individuals opposed to a particular result. Public comment to the Board shall be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Speaking time cannot be transferred to other speakers.

    SPEAKERS TO AGENDA ITEMS

    Speakers addressing the Board on an agenda item must sign up to speak to that particular agenda item.

    ADDRESSING THE BOARD

    Individuals who address the Board must:

    1. Sign up as follows:
      1. Beginning 48 hours before the start of the meeting and ending 12 hours before the start of the meeting, register through the link available under the District's Board tab on the District's website; or
      2. Beginning 60 minutes before the start of the meeting and ending 30 minutes before the start of the meeting, register with the designated District representative located outside of the Board room.
    2. Use the lectern and microphone and provide their name and address; the name of any individual or group being represented; and if a District employee, their position in the District.
    3. Refrain from naming specific District students, employees, or positions during their comments to the Board.

     

    BOARD'S RESPONSE

    Specific factual information or recitation of existing policy may be furnished in response to inquiries, but the Board shall not deliberate or decide regarding any subject that is not included on the agenda posted with notice of the meeting.

    COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS

    The presiding officer or designee shall determine whether a person addressing the Board has attempted to solve a matter administratively through resolution channels established by policy. If not, the person shall be referred to the appropriate policy (see list below) to seek resolution:

    Employee complaints: DGBA

    Student or parent complaints: FNG

    Public complaints: GF

    DECORUM

    All individuals in attendance at Board meetings shall display civility and decorum. Individuals shall not use insulting, profane, threatening or abusive language during the meeting. In addition, public comment shall not be used for personal attacks.

    During each Board meeting, the presiding officer or designee shall read a statement explaining the rules for addressing the Board and the expectations of civility and decorum during the Board meeting.

    DISRUPTION

    The Board shall not tolerate disruption of the meeting by members of the audience. If, after at least one warning from the presiding officer, any person continues to disrupt the meeting by his or her words or actions, the presiding officer may request assistance from law enforcement officials to have the person removed from the meeting.

    Online speaker registration opens 48 hours before any scheduled board meeting and closes 1 hour before the meeting starts.

    Upcoming Meetings Calendar