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"Put Children First"

File: KDB-1

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Committee desires citizens of the Agawam School System to attend its sessions so that they may become better acquainted with the operation and programs of the schools and that the Committee may have opportunity to hear the wishes and ideas of the public. All official meetings of the Committee shall be open to the press and public as provided in the Open Meeting Law.

In order to insure that persons who wish to appear before the Committee may be heard, 15 minutes will be set aside prior to the beginning of all regularly scheduled Committee meetings.

Anyone wishing to speak before the committee either as an individual or as a spokesperson for a group may do so subject to the following:

  1. Any individual desiring to speak shall give His/her name, address, and the group (if any that is represented to the chairperson prior to the meeting.
  2. The presentation should be as brief as possible. Normally, a speaker will be limited to five minutes.
  3. If the individual's concern is with the operation, programs, or decisions of the schools--that individual must clearly demonstrate (before any remarks are offered) that He/she has attempted to settle the concern at the teacher/administrator level prior to addressing the Committee.

The Committee vests in its Chairperson or other presiding officer, authority to terminate the remarks of any individual when they do not adhere to the rules established above.

Persons appearing before the Committee are reminded, as a point of information, that members of the Committee are without authority to act independently as individuals in official matters. A dialogue between Committee members and individuals, through the Chairperson, may take place.

The following statement is to be read at each meeting prior to speak time:

"In accordance with Agawam School Committee Policy BDDH, the next 15 minutes will be devoted to CITIZENS' SPEAK TIME. Anyone wishing to address the Committee may do so. Please be reminded that the Agawam School Committee is a policy-making board and that concerns dealing with teach/administrative decisions should have been thoroughly discussed at that level prior to your appearance tonight. With that in mind, who would like to speak first?"

CROSS REF.: BD, Agawam School Committee Meetings

BDDB/BDDC, Agenda Format/Preparation and Dissemination

Agawam Public Schools