NEPN/NSBA Code: BEDH

PUBLIC COMMENTS AT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The primary purpose of School Committee meetings is to conduct the business of the Committee related to Committee policies, programs, and operations. The School Committee encourages residents to attend Committee meetings so that they may become acquainted with the operations and programs of the schools.

The School Committee also recognizes the value of public comments on school and educational matters. To permit fair and orderly expression of public comments at School Committee business meetings while still allowing the School Committee to conduct its business efficiently, the Committee has established the procedure below for regular business meetings.

At special and emergency meetings, public comments will be limited to the topic(s) of the particular meeting. Workshops do not have public comment. 

In addition to speaking during the designated public comment portion of the agenda at Committee meetings, members of the public are welcome to submit written comments on school and educational matters to the Committee and Superintendent. 

1. The School Committee will include a public comment period, not to exceed 30 minutes, on the agenda of its regular business meetings. Comments by individuals are limited to a maximum of three (3) minutes at a meeting. Individuals may not relinquish a portion of their allotted time to another speaker. In unusual circumstances, the time limits in this paragraph may be modified at a particular meeting at the discretion of the Committee.

2. The School Committee will first hear public comments from Lewiston residents and employees of the school district. If there is time remaining in the public comment period once all residents and employees have had the opportunity to speak, the Chair may permit comments from non-residents. Each individual will be required to state their name and town/city of residence before beginning their remarks. 

3. The Chair is responsible for ensuring the orderly conduct of Committee meetings and for ensuring compliance with this policy, including the following rules of order:

a.  Speakers will be recognized by the Chair, and comments should be addressed to the Chair. Requests for information or concerns that require further research may be referred to the Superintendent for further action, if necessary;

b.  Speakers are expected to follow rules of common etiquette and decorum, including refraining from using vulgar and/or obscene language, yelling, threatening others using words or by other actions, making defamatory comments, or otherwise engaging in any activity that disrupts orderly meeting progress. Examples of disruptive conduct include, but are not limited to, exceeding the allotted time limits, talking over or interrupting others, offering repetitive comments, and offering comments on matters unrelated to the school district’s programs, policies, or operations. 

c.  Discussion of personnel matters is not permitted during the public comment period due to the privacy, confidentiality, and due process rights of school unit employees. For purposes of this policy, “discussion of a personnel matter” means any discussion of job performance or conduct of a school district employee, including complaints or positive/complimentary comments about them.

d.  Discussion of matters involving individual students are also not permitted during the public comment period due to the privacy, confidentiality, and due process rights of the school district’s students.

e.  Any concerns about personnel matters and/or student matters should be directed to the Superintendent or another appropriate administrator outside of School Committee meetings so that they can be addressed through an alternative channel and in a manner consistent with privacy, confidentiality, and due process rights of the individuals involved.

f.  The Chair will stop any public comment that is contrary to these rules.

g.  Individuals who disrupt a School Committee meeting may be asked to leave in order to allow the School Committee to conduct its business in an orderly manner. The Chair may request the assistance of law enforcement if necessary to address disruptions or safety concerns.

Legal Reference:  1 MRSA § 405 

        20-A MRSA §1001(20)

        20-A MRSA § 6101

Cross Reference: BE - School Committee Meetings

BEC – Executive Session

BEDB – Agenda Preparation and Dissemination

BEDD – Rules of Order

KE – Public Concerns and Complaints

Adopted: February 25, 2008

Reviewed:  September 12, 2011

Reviewed:  November 3, 2014

Reviewed:  August 22, 2016

Revised: June 6, 2022

Revised: April 7, 2025