Here’s the process if you want to speak at a School Board Meeting

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The process to speak before the school board is complicated and fraught with details.

According to the school board Policy BCBI: Public Participation at Board Meetings, under the section “PUBLIC COMMENTS AT BOARD MEETINGS,” the school board encourages the public to express to the school board its viewpoints on issues vital to the operation of the school district. However, it is unclear if the board consistently dedicates time at each public meeting for public comments.

• Public comments are an opportunity for members of the general public to briefly express their ideas, concerns, and suggestions to the school board on matters of individual or community interest. 
• Public comments are limited to five (5) minutes per individual or group.  Public comments at special meetings must be related to the call of the meeting
• The public comments time is not a forum for in-depth discussion of issues with the board, nor is it a public discussion.  Rather, it is a time that the public may use to make the board aware of matters related to student achievement and school operations. The board will not debate any issues raised through public comments, other than to decide if any issues brought before the board through the public comments require further consideration. If the board deems that an issue has arisen that requires investigation and possible board action, the board shall direct the superintendent to investigate the matter and to report back to the board at a subsequent board meeting.

According to the same document, if you wish to bring an issue to the board, there is a process that must be followed, and even then, there is no guarantee the board will hear or talk with you. If you can navigate the paperwork and be considered bona fide enough to address the board, they will not discuss your issue at that time but will only consider taking it under advisement.

Here is the process to attempt to speak to the board at a meeting:

• Public comments are limited to 5 minutes per person or group
• Submit, through certified mail – receipt requested – or hand carry a written request to come before the board at least 48 hours prior to the board meeting
• Submit your name, address, telephone number, and signature of the person making the request
• Date of the board meeting
• Reason(s) for the request
• Name address and telephone number of the spokesperson of the individual or group, if different from the person making the request.
• The Superintendent will acknowledge receipt of your request and issue instructions by return mail to the person making the request.
• Should the agenda be too crowded, as determined by the Superintendent, the matter will be held until the next scheduled board meeting.
• No person or group shall be recognized without first being placed on the agenda.
• Only the person designated as spokesman shall be allowed to speak for a group.
• Any person willfully disturbing the school board meeting shall be in violation of the law and possibly arrested and fined.
• The board may make and enforce resolutions, rules and regulations for the conduct of persons attending board meetings.
• You shall speak only on the subject(s) stated in the written request.
• The board reserves the right to take matters under advisement.

The superintendent is authorized to and may deny requests by any individuals or groups to have their issue placed on the school board agenda under the following circumstances:  

• If the superintendent has already addressed the issue/complaint and there is no new business regarding the issue.
• If the individual or group has not followed the chain of command in trying to resolve the issue
• If school administration is actively working toward resolution of the issue.
• If the school board has, at a previous school board meeting, already considered and determined dispensation of the issue.
• If the issue is covered under “privileged information,”   discussion of which would violate board policies that relate to privacy laws and confidentiality requirements.