FILE:  BCBI

Cf:  BCB, BCBD

Cf:  BCBK

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

It is the policy of the Lincoln Parish School Board to conduct all meetings in full view of and with welcomed contributions by the public.  However, the School Board reserves the right to recess into or call executive sessions for discussion of private matters.  At no time will actions be taken or resolutions made during executive sessions.

All delegations or individuals who wish to appear before the School Board shall submit their requests in writing to the Superintendent at least five (5) days prior to the meeting date, stating what matters they wish to take up with the School Board and the approximate time such matter should consume at the meeting.  Any material to be used must be submitted at the time of request.  Such items will normally be included on the agenda of the meeting at which the delegation or individual wishes to appear before the School Board.  Each delegation appearing before the School Board shall select one person in advance as its spokesman and any presentation given shall be limited to five (5) minutes, unless an extension of time is granted by the School Board.

1. Speakers may offer such objective criticisms of school operations and programs as concern them.  But in public session, the School Board will not hear personal complaints of school personnel nor against any person connected with the school system.  Other due process provisions provide for School Board consideration and disposition of legitimate complaints involving individuals.
   
   

2. The School Board President or other presiding officer has the authority to terminate the remarks of any individual when they do not adhere to the rules established above.
   
   

3. Persons appearing before the School Board are reminded, as a point of information, that members of the School Board are without authority to act independently as individuals in official matters.  Thus, questions may be directed to individual School Board members, but answers must be deferred pending consideration by the full School Board.

A public comment period shall be held before any vote is taken on an agenda item.  The comment period shall precede each agenda item in which a vote is to be taken.  However, a person is not entitled to take up business before the School Board unless the item in which he is interested has been placed on the agenda of that meeting.  In addition, the President of the School Board may recognize persons at the School Board meetings for the purpose of introducing such persons.

In the event that the School Board should add an item to its agenda after the School Board meeting begins, the School Board President shall orally request of the audience whether anyone in attendance would like to speak on the added agenda item.  Each person indicating a desire to do so shall be given an opportunity to address the School Board on each agenda item added.  The School Board shall delay deliberations on that agenda item until such time as all interested members of the public have had an opportunity to speak.

The President shall have the authority to remove any person disrupting or interfering in any manner with the conduction of a meeting of the School Board.

REMOTE PARTICIPATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH DISABILITIES

The School Board shall allow any member of the public with a disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act, or a designated caregiver of such a person, to participate in its meetings via teleconference or video conference, and shall facilitate participation by any such person who requests that accommodation prior to the meeting.  Members of the public who desire to participate in this fashion shall certify that they meet the definition of a person with a disability recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act when they submit, prior to public meetings, their requests to comment on agenda items and shall comply with the same rules and regulations on speaking applicable to those participating in person at such meetings.

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:23

Board minutes, 11-11-08, 8-1-23

Lincoln Parish School Board