Public Commentary

• Public commentary, typically scheduled near the beginning of all regular meetings of the board, shall be limited to an accumulated time of 45 minutes. At all other meetings of the board, excluding executive sessions, public commentary will be limited to 30 minutes. This limit may be extended at the discretion of the President.
• Persons who wish to address the board, and have officially signed up for public commentary, shall be allowed to do so. If the meeting is held in person, individuals may share comments in person or submit comments to be read by AAPS staff. Comments submitted for meetings held virtually will be read by AAPS staff.
• Special Guidelines for Public Commentary Held During Electronic Meetings:
  Individuals who wish to address the board at a meeting held electronically may do so by submitting comments through the Public Commentary Sign Up Form up to at least 4 hours in advance of the meeting time (i.e. by 3pm for a 7pm meeting).  Comments will be read by AAPS staff during the public commentary period.
• The number of speakers will be evenly divided into the 45-minute time limit, and each speaker will be assigned an equal share of time in which to address the board. Maximum time for individual speakers should not exceed four (4) minutes. Exceptions to this time limit may be made at the discretion of the President.
• Those who wish to address the board during public commentary time must sign up at least 4 hours in advance of the meeting (i.e. by 3pm for a 7pm meeting) by calling, writing or emailing the Board of Education office or through the online Public Commentary Sign Up Form. 
• Speakers will be placed on the public commentary list on a first-come, first-served basis and announced in that order. The list of speakers will be made public following public commentary time.
  
• Speakers may not cede their time to others, and failure to speak will not increase the time allowed other speakers. No speaker will be allowed to address the board more than once during the same meeting.
• Each speaker should announce their name, community of residence, and whether they represent any organization or agency.
• Speakers may submit their written comments for inclusion in the meeting materials archive through the Public Commentary Sign Up Form.
• Speakers should take into account the rules of common courtesy and refrain from making personal attacks against employees, volunteers, students, parents, community members, or members of the board. If the comments constitute a complaint against an employee, the employee has the right to request a closed meeting. Speakers are encouraged to present complaints about a specific employee, board member, or student through proper channels established under board policy before requesting board consideration.  At no time should a speaker reference a specific individual by name when speaking on an issue of concern involving personnel or students.
• Members of the board and district employees will not answer questions during public commentary. Previously stated board policies or administrative rules and regulations and corrections or clarifications to matters of fact may, however, be explained. A board member may, with the President's permission, ask a question of a speaker, otherwise no dialogue is expected.