September 17, 2024 Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Policy Sub-Committee

AGENDA
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Location: Adams Library Conference Room 89 Middle St.

 

 

6:00 P.M. - Call to Order

I. Public Relations and Policy BEDH: Public Comment (Non Action)

- Reading of M.G.L. Part I, Title III, Chapter 30A, Section 20 (g)

- Reading of BEDH: “Public Participation at School Committee Meetings”

- Discuss merits and possible areas of improvement in current Public Comment Policy

II. MASC Policy Updates

- Review any changes and policy recommendations made by MASC since previous Policy Sub-Committee Meeting

III. Public Comment

-Public comment will be offered in accordance with Policy BEDH

IV. Adjournment

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M.G.L. Part I, Title III, Chapter 30A, Section 20 (g)
No person shall address a meeting of a public body without permission of the chair, and all persons shall, at the request of the chair, be silent. No person shall disrupt the proceedings of a meeting of a public body. If, after clear warning from the chair, a person continues to disrupt the proceedings, the chair may order the person to withdraw from the meeting and if the person does not withdraw, the chair may authorize a constable or other officer to remove the person from the meeting.

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BEDH: Public Comment at School Committee Meetings
All regular and special meetings of the School Committee shall be open to the public. Executive sessions will be held only as prescribed by the Statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The School Committee desires citizens of the District to attend its meetings so that they may become better acquainted with the operations and the programs of our local public schools. In addition, the Committee would like the opportunity to hear the wishes and ideas of the public.

In order that all citizens who wish to be heard before the Committee have a chance and to ensure the ability of the Committee to conduct the District's business in an orderly manner, the following rules and procedures are adopted:

1. At each regularly scheduled School Committee meeting, under "Public Comments" the public is invited to address the Committee. The Chairperson shall determine the length of the public participation segment.

2. Speakers will be allowed three (3) minutes to present their material. The presiding Chairperson may permit extension of this time limit.

3. Topics for discussion must be limited to those items listed on the School Committee meeting agenda for that evening.

4. Improper conduct and remarks will not be allowed. Defamatory or abusive remarks are always out of order. If a speaker persists in improper conduct or remarks, the Chairperson may terminate that individual’s privilege of address.

5. All remarks will be addressed through the Chairperson of the meeting.

6. Speakers may offer such objective criticisms of the school operations and programs as concern them, but in public session the Committee will not hear personal complaints of school personnel nor against any member of the school community. Under most circumstances, administrative channels are the proper means for disposition of legitimate complaints involving staff members.

7. Written comments longer than three (3) minutes may be presented to the Committee before or after the meeting for the Committee members' review and consideration at an appropriate time.