By Betsy Finklea
A policy regarding public participation at school board meetings was taken up by the Dillon District Four Board on Monday night.
The following policy in regards to this matter was passed and reads as follows:
PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS
Any appearance by members of the general public before the District Board meeting in regular, open session is permissible at the sole discretion of the Board and is governed by the following rules and regulations:
1. Any individual or group of individuals, numbering no more than seven, wishing to be heard by the Board regarding a matter of public concern must apply for permission to do so by filing a written request using the form affixed to this policy. The required form shall be available for the asking at the District Office. The completed form will be presented by the Superintendent to the Board for consideration at its next regularly scheduled meeting and a decision will be made either granting or denying the request with prompt notice of the decision given in writing to all concerned.
2. Groups appearing before the Board will choose a spokesperson from the group to represent them. Whether any other member of the group is heard is discretionary with the Board.
3. All presentations to the Board will be limited to Seven (&) minutes unless permission is granted by the Board for an enlargement of time.
4. NO PERSONAL ATTACKS OF ANY KIND WILL BE TOLERATED. Immediately upon any such attack the Board Chair will halt the proceeding and the Board will determine whether to continue in closed executive session or adjourn the hearing which will be and permanently terminated with no further hearing of the matter. The decision whether or not to continue shall be made by the Board in executive session.
5. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the Board will take the matter under advisement and promptly issue a written decision and distribute it to all involved in hearing the matter.
The Dillon County Board of Education passed a similar policy at their meeting on Tuesday morning.
