An important component of a school board meeting is public comment. We want to hear from our stakeholders. The pandemic and its connected issues have resulted in increased attendance and an increase in public requests to speak at school board meetings. One best practice for governance teams during public comment is to set a specific time limit for each speaker and for each agenda item.

For example, CSBA sample Board Bylaw 9323 states that “in general, individual speakers are allowed three minutes to address the board on each agenda or non-agenda item, and the board will limit the total time for public input on each item to 20 minutes. However, in exceptional circumstances when necessary to ensure full opportunity for public input, the board president may, with board consent, adjust the amount of time allowed for public input and/or the time allotted for each speaker. Any such adjustment shall be done equitably to allow for a diversity of viewpoints. The president may also ask members of the public with the same viewpoint to select a few individuals to address the board on behalf of that viewpoint.

In order to ensure that non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to directly address the board, any member of the public who utilizes a translator shall be provided at least twice the allotted time to address the board. This is true unless simultaneous translation equipment is used to allow the board to hear the translated public testimony simultaneously.” (Government Code 54954.3)

This time structure is not in Education Code or board policy. It remains a promising practice that has worked for multiple local educational agencies across California. Each governance team may choose the time limits that work best for their community.

Another best practice is to notice the time limits on the agenda and read them aloud to all assembled prior to any public comment. Speaker cards may be used, but if an individual refuses to fill out the card, they are still allowed to speak. One thing we need to remember as trustees, is that we should refrain from engaging with the public during the comment period. The board president, however, may make a short statement such as, “We will have staff get back to you.”

The following questions can help your board examine whether it has clear procedures and processes around public comment:

1. What is the procedure we are following for public comment? What does this look like in a virtual setting?
2. Are there other avenues we can use to listen to our stakeholders’ voices?
3. Have we thought of using the townhall forum to better listen to our constituents?
4. What are the big or controversial issues facing our district or county office currently?
5. On what subjects have we sent out surveys to further the understanding of our community voices?
6. How do we communicate the guidelines on public comment so the community understands the rules of engagement?
7. What strategies do we employ to plan for public comment while also planning to address all agenda items?

We want to listen to all voices when we, as a board of trustees, are facing difficult decisions. At the end of the day, we must remember that school board meetings are meetings to complete the LEA’s business in public. We must honor decorum and civility. We model this behavior for students, staff and our communities. We want to make informed decisions — and part of this process is to listen to diverse opinions. For more information, please refer to: Government Code 54954.2 and 54954.3 and sample Board Policy 1313 – Civility, June 2021.