What is proper protocol for public participation?Ĭomments from citizens generally go through the chair at the board meeting, usually the board president. There is no required format for public comment some boards have one public-comment period in the middle of the meeting, some have two public-comment sessions during a board meeting. For instance, school boards typically set guidelines on the length of an individual’s comment (e.g., a certain amount of time per person), so no one person dominates the meeting. Boards are allowed to establish reasonable restrictions on the time, place and manner of public comment. State law requires a public comment period at board meetings. Do I have an opportunity to speak at the board meeting? For instance, if a parent has a problem with a teacher, the parent should first address it with the teacher and, if the issue is not resolved, the parent should turn to the principal or supervisor, and then the superintendent.The school board should be the “court of last resort.” Many times citizens can get answers to their questions simply by calling the appropriate person in the school district (i.e., principal, school board secretary or superintendent). We recommend working up the chain of command. Isn’t the school board the appropriate body to address it? Rather, the school board sets the policies, goals and objectives for the district – and it holds the superintendent responsible for implementing the policies and achieving the goals. The school board does not operate the district on a day-to-day basis that is the job of the superintendent, who is the district’s chief executive. The school board has a dual role: To represent the concerns of the citizens, taxpayers and parents to the school administrators, and to represent the needs of the students and school district to the citizens, taxpayers and parents of the community. What is the role of the school board and the superintendent? They are non-partisan and they receive no pay or benefits for their public service. They’re your neighbors: parents, grandparents, local business owners, retirees – ordinary citizens. The school board consists of lay representatives – people who live in the community and are selected by the community (or, if it’s an appointed school board, selected by either the mayor or county freeholders). New Jersey School Boards Association Login Search Menu
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