Public Comment at Board Meetings

All Board meetings, with the exception of executive sessions, will be open to the public. The Board invites the district’s community members to attend Board meetings to become acquainted with the program and operation of the district. The public has a right to attend public meetings held in open session, and may be invited to share comments, ideas and opinions with the Board during designated times on the agenda. The Board may conduct a meeting without public comment.

Individuals with hearing, vision or speech impairments will be given an equal opportunity to participate in Board meetings and submit written comments to the Board. Individuals requesting assistance, aids or accommodations are encouraged to notify the district at least 48 hours prior to the Board meeting with the request, consistent with Board policy BD/BDA – Board Meetings.

Procedures for Public Comment at Meetings

The Board establishes the following procedures for public comment at Board meetings held in open session. The information will be accessible and available to all patrons accessing or attending such a Board meeting.

1.    Public comment is limited to its designated place on the agenda and while time allows.

2.    A person wishing to provide public comment, if an opportunity is provided by the Board during a meeting open to the public, will do so as directed prior to the Board meeting.  A request to give public comment in person or electronically does not guarantee time will be available.

3.    A person speaking during the public comment portion of the meeting may comment on a topic not on the published agenda.

4.    A person speaking during the public comment portion of the meeting should state their name, whether they are a resident of the district, and, if speaking for an organization, the name of the organization. A spokesperson should be designated to represent a group with a common purpose.

5.    A person giving public comment is limited to an established time limit of three minutes. Statements should be brief and concise. The Board chair has the discretion to waive time limits or extend the overall time allotted for public comment. Additional time will be allocated in a fair and equitable manner. Time limits will be determined based on the number of commenters and the amount of time available for public comment. If a person has more comments than time allows or is unable to comment due to time constraints, the person is encouraged to submit additional written comments to the Board through the district office as directed.
 
6.    Inquiries from the public during the designated portion of the agenda will not generally be responded to immediately by the Board chair and may be referred to the superintendent for reply at a later date. The Board will not respond to inquiries that are expected to be addressed during another designated portion of the agenda.

The Board will not hear public comment at Board work sessions. 

Topics raised during the public comment portion may be considered for inclusion as agenda items at future Board meetings. 

Procedures for Written Comment

Members of the public may submit written comments or materials to the Board at any time at the district office, by mail or by email to the board secretary. Materials or comments submitted as directed and in advance of a Board meeting will be provided to the Board before the Board meeting, but will not be read at the Board meeting. Written materials or comments submitted may not warrant action by the Board. 

Comments Regarding Staff Members

A person speaking during the designated portion of the agenda for public comment may offer objective criticism of district operations and programs. The Board will not hear comments regarding any individual district staff member. The Board chair will direct the visitor to the procedures in Board policy KL - Public Complaints for consideration of a legitimate complaint involving a staff member. Any association contract governing the employee’s rights will be followed. A commendation involving a staff member should be sent to the superintendent, who will forward it to the employee, a supervisor and the Board.

Public Comment at Board Meetings - Intent To Speak

The Board requests that a public comment add information or a perspective that has not already been mentioned previously and that the patron refrains from repeating a similar point.

To provide public comment in person, if the opportunity is available on the Board agenda, please do so as directed prior to the meeting. Those attending virtually and want to provide public comment should notify the Board secretary by submitting an email as directed prior to the start of the meeting. 

A person speaking during the public comment portion of the meeting may comment on a topic not on the published agenda. A person providing public comment will be allowed three minutes. Signing up to provide public comment does not guarantee time will be available.

Any person, who is allowed to speak to the Board during a meeting, should state their name, whether they are a resident of the district, and if speaking for an organization, the name of the organization. A spokesperson should be designated to represent a group with a common purpose.

Comments about a specific employee or group of employees should comply with Board policy BDDH - Public Comment at Board Meetings:

    “A person speaking during the designated portion of the agenda for public comment may offer objective criticism of district operations and programs. The Board will not hear comments regarding any individual district staff member. The Board chair will direct the visitor to the procedures in Board policy KL - Public Complaints for consideration of a legitimate complaint involving a staff member. Any association contract governing the employee’s rights will be followed. A commendation involving a staff member should be sent to the superintendent, who will forward it to the employee, a supervisor and the Board.”

The Board requests that a topic or comment is limited to three minutes or less

Persons intending to speak by phone during the public comment portion of the Regular Meeting should email Board Secretary Marisa Flukinger at mflukinger@astoriak12.org by 4:00 PM on the date of the meeting. All submissions received after that time will go to the Board for consideration and will not be read during the meeting. 

In-Person Meetings Use:
Board Policy BDDH (Intent to Speak Form)