213 - Public Participation in Board Meetings

The board recognizes the importance of citizen participation in school district matters. In order to assure citizens are heard and board meetings are conducted efficiently and in an organization manner, the board has specific procedures outlined for public participation.

Citizens who have a place on the agenda may address the board on the issue of their concern during the discussion of that issue. The presiding officer will recognize these individuals when the item of their concern is addressed during the meeting.

Individuals or groups who wish to place an item on the agenda should:

Contact the superintendent or board president no later than six calendar days prior to the meeting. Each individual will be limited to two (2 minutes); a group will be limited to ten (10 minutes) to address the board with their comments; or,
Submit a valid petition to the board: For a petition to be valid, it must be signed by at least 500 eligible electors of the district, or ten percent of the individuals who voted in the last school election, whichever number is lower. Upon receiving a valid petition to the board to place a proposal on the next board agenda for public hearing, the board will place the proposal identified in the petition on the agenda of the next regular meeting, or a special meeting held within 30 days of receipt of the petition. The board will provide a sign-up sheet for all individuals who wish to speak on the proposal, and individuals will be called to speak in order of sign-up. The sign-up sheet will require each individual to list their legal name and mailing address. Each speaker will be limited to an amount of time established by the board president that is reasonable and necessary based on the number of speakers signed up. The same time limit will apply to all speakers on the proposal. Each individual will be limited to one opportunity to speak. The board maintains absolute discretion on whether or not to discuss or act on the public comments made on the proposal. If a petition is related to curriculum, the district maintains discretion to determine whether to stop teaching that curriculum until the board holds the public hearing to discuss the curriculum.

Meetings of the Board of Directors, Forest City Community Schools, follow an agenda prepared by the Superintendent.
Citizens who do not have a place on the agenda may address the board on the issue of their concern by requesting to speak to the board regarding an agenda item. The presiding officer will recognize the individuals at the appropriate time. A visitor who has been granted permission to speak will have two (2) minutes to express his/her viewpoint, or ask a question. It shall be pointed out that there is no legal requirement that the public be given this opportunity to speak at board meetings. It is the policy of this board to make this time available to residents of the district, but if the pressure of business or other circumstances dictate, the Board President may decide to curtail discussion.

The board has a significant interest in maintaining the decorum of its meetings, and it is expected that members of the public
and the board will address each other with civility. The orderly process of the board meeting will not be interfered with or
disrupted by public comment. Only individuals recognized by the board president will be allowed to speak. Comments by others are out of order. If disruptive, the individual causing disruption may be asked to leave the board meeting. Defamatory comments may be subject to legal action.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 21; 22; 279.8

Cross Reference:
205 Board Member Liability
210.8 Board Meeting Agenda
214 Public Hearings
307 Communication Channels
401.4 Employee Complaints
402.5 Public Complaints About Employees
502.4 Student Complaints and Grievances

Approved: 4-14-86
Reviewed: 2-14-22
Revised: 8-9-21

dawn.gibson.cm… Thu, 05/06/2021 - 13:36

213.1 - Public Complaints

The board recognizes situations may arise in the operation of the school district which are of concern to parents and other members of the school district community.

The board firmly believes concerns should be resolved at the lowest organizational level by those individuals closest to the concern. Whenever a complaint or concern is brought to the attention of the board it will be referred to the administration to be resolved. Prior to board action however, the following should be completed:

a. Matters should first be addressed to the teacher or employee.

b. Unsettled matters from (a) above or problems and questions about individual attendance centers should be addressed to the employee's building principal.

c. Unsettled matters from (b) above or problems and questions concerning the school district should be directed to the superintendent.

d. If a matter cannot be settled satisfactorily by the superintendent, it may then be brought to the board for consideration. To bring a concern, the individual shall notify the board president or board secretary in writing, who may bring it to the attention of the entire board.

It is within the discretion of the board to address complaints from the members of the school district community, and the board will only consider whether to address complaints if they are in writing, signed, and the complainant has complied with this policy. The board is not obligated to address a complaint and may defer to the decision of the superintendent. If the board elects not to address a complaint, the decision of the superintendent shall be final. If the board does elect to address a complaint, its decision shall be final.

Complaints by Employees

Communications, grievances, and complaints from personnel shall first be brought to the attention of the building principal then the Superintendent of Schools before being brought before the Board of Directors. An employee or group of employees may at any time appeal a decision of the superintendent to the board.

Personnel desiring to address the board on any matter shall direct their communication to the Superintendent of Schools and request permission to be placed on the board agenda. The superintendent will share relevant communications with all board members.

Complaints against any employee which arise from within membership of the board, or which come to the attention of the board, except through the superintendent, shall be referred to the Superintendent of Schools for a decision. In case either the employee or the complaint is not satisfied with the decision of the superintendent, appeal may be taken to the board.

Parents, guardians and community members of the district who have concerns about the district or board may refer to the student handbook for additional guidance by the Department of Education.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code § 279.8

Cross Reference:
210.8 Board Meeting Agenda
213 Public Participation in Board Meetings
307 Communication Channels

Approved: 6-12-89
Reviewed: 2-14-22
Revised: 8-9-21

dawn.gibson.cm… Thu, 05/06/2021 - 13:38