for Meridian

Visitors are always welcome at School Board meetings. The purpose of Board meetings is for the Board to conduct its business in public, not to provide a public forum. However, the Board is interested in receiving input from community members on various agenda items. Also, each regular Board meeting agenda includes a Public Comment section during which citizens may address the Board regarding topics that are not on the agenda.

The following will apply to all who wish to address the Board at a Board meeting:

1. Sign up before the meeting begins on the sheet provided.
   
2. Wait to be recognized by the Board Chair at the appropriate point on the agenda and introduce yourself before sharing your remarks.
   
3. Speaking time may be limited to ensure that all those interested have opportunity to speak. Public comments usually take no more than about three minutes each.
   
4. The Board will limit public comment on a particular topic to no more than about 30 minutes.

While the Board welcomes and anticipates much positive input, the Board Chair may interrupt or terminate an individual’s statement when it is personally directed, abusive, obscene, irrelevant or too lengthy. The Board as a whole has the final decision on such matters. The Board will not entertain complaints regarding any individual staff member or student in public session unless that individual has requested a public hearing.

In addition to addressing the Board at a regular meeting, citizens may also bring issues to the attention of the Board by writing to the School Board or by telephoning or e-mailing individual Board members. Citizens are reminded that all written communications addressed to school officials, including e-mail messages, may be considered public records.

Citizens are encouraged to try to resolve issues with teachers, school principals, other district personnel or the superintendent before bringing the issue to the Board.