Citizens of the county, including delegations or individuals, have the express right, and are encouraged, to attend meetings of the school board and to listen to and observe its deliberations. In the interest of orderly conduct of board meetings, spontaneous discussion from the floor shall be discouraged. Individuals or organizations desiring to be heard by the board shall make their requests to the superintendent or board chairman one week prior to the scheduled meeting - stating name, address, purpose of request, and topic of speech. The board may, however, agree to hear any individual or organization at any time, notwithstanding the requirements for notice set forth above.
Every person who wishes to speak at a board meeting must be recognized by the chairman, and the chairman will determine whether it is in the public interest to allow the request. Should the request to speak be granted, the chairman may limit the time for the presentation, and if there are numerous requests to address the board on the same subject, the chairman may request representatives to speak on each side of the issue. The board has the right to overrule the chairman by a majority vote of those present.
An individual desiring to speak to the board on an agenda "action" item or any item specifically noted as included for the purposes of a public hearing for which the time requirements for a written request cannot be met should communicate with the local superintendent's office not less than 48 hours before the meeting - stating name, address, and topic. Otherwise these requests are subject to the same requirements and restrictions as set forth above for written requests.
Individuals desiring additional information about any item on the agenda should direct such inquiries to the office of the superintendent.
These procedures are not designed to restrict the scheduled appearances of citizens who have regular business with the board and whose presentations are provided for in the agenda.
Recognition of individuals who are not citizens of the school district is to be determined by a majority vote of the board.
Board meetings are conducted for the purpose of carrying on the business of the schools, and therefore are not public meetings, but meetings held in public. Every meeting of the Board, except with the attorney to discuss pending or threatened litigation, will be open to the public and the press.
All persons seeking the opportunity to speak at a board meeting shall address the chairman and may direct questions or comments to board members or other officers of the school system only upon the approval of the chairman. Members of the board and superintendent may have the privilege of asking questions of any person who addresses the board.
Speakers will be introduced by the Chairman of the Board at the appropriated time during the agenda. Speakers may offer objective comments of school operations and programs that concern them. The Board will not permit in public session any expression of personal complaints about school personnel nor against any person connected with the school system. Speakers will not be permitted to participate in gossip, make defamatory comments, or use abusive or vulgar language. Persons with personal complaints of personnel will utilize the proper channels for administrative resolution of concerns. Since a record is kept of all meetings of the board, every person who wishes to address the board is requested to state name, address, and subject of presentation even though a written request for recognition has been submitted.
The intent of these rules is:
To allow everyone a fair and adequate opportunity to be heard;
To allow the superintendent to take direct action when policies have already been established by the Board on the subject of the request;
To provide adequate time for the Board to obtain necessary information and give thorough thought in situations where a policy does not exist, a change of policy is proposed, or an exception to policy is specifically requested;
To see that the time so devoted does not interfere with fulfillment of the regular agenda of the Board.
Note:
Tennessee law makes no specific provisions for the participation of the public in the meeting of the local boards of education; however, the Tennessee Sunshine Law1 does require that all meetings of public boards of education be open to the public and press.