File: BEDH
Public Participation at Board Meetings
All regular and special meetings of the Board shall be open to the public. Because the Board
desires to hear the viewpoints of all citizens throughout the district and also needs to conduct its
business in an orderly, dignified, respectful, and efficient manner, it shall schedule time during
some Board meetings for brief comments and questions from the public. Some public comment
periods may be limited at the discretion of the Board President to specific items on the business
agenda.
During times of general public comment scheduled at a regular meeting, comments and questions
may deal with any topic related to the Board's conduct of the schools. Comments at special
meetings must be related to the call of the meeting. During times of public comment on specific
agenda items, comments shall be confined to the topic of the agenda item being considered by the
Board.
Speakers may offer such criticism of school operations and programs as concern them, but are
encouraged to exercise their speech rights responsibly. The Board encourages the discussion of all
personnel matters to be conducted in executive session.
The Board President shall be responsible for recognizing all speakers who shall properly identify
themselves, for maintaining proper order, and for adherence to any time limits and criteria set.
Adhering to the following criteria, individuals may address the Board during the audience portion of
the agenda:
1. State name and school district where speaker resides before addressing the Board.
2. A maximum of three minutes per speaker will be allotted to present comments, concerns or suggestions.
No ceding of time between speakers will be permitted. The total amount of audience participation at any
Board meeting will be limited to thirty minutes. The Board President may use discretion in time allocation in
extraordinary circumstances.
3. All statements shall be kept within the realm of district concerns. No individual or personal problems shall
be presented. Complaints involving the reputation of any person connected with the District will not be heard
by the Board while sitting in public session. Public comment time is made available for the public to address
issues, not personalities; personal attacks will not be permitted.
The school district also has confidence in its professional staff, and desires to support their actions in order
that they be free from unnecessary, spiteful, or destructive criticism and complaint. Any complaint about
school personnel shall be referred back through proper administrative channels or in accordance with Board
of Education Policy KE before it is presented to the Board for consideration or action.
4. Constructive criticism motivated by a sincere desire to improve the quality of the educational program or
to equip the schools to do their tasks more effectively is welcomed by the Board of Education. All public
statements shall be constructive or helpful to the operation of the school system; constructive criticism made
for the improvement of the district goals; or, for better education for children. 5. Written statements of
comments are encouraged for submission, and copies will be provided by District staff to each Board
Member for review. The statements can then be used for review and basis for placement on the agenda at a
succeeding meeting of the Board after all pertinent information has been gathered.
5. The President may recognize a Board Member or the Superintendent to respond to questions, comments
or make a statement to clarify a district position. There will be no audience response allowed after the Board

 Member or the Superintendent has responded.
6. Members of the public will not be recognized by the President during Board meetings except as noted in
this policy.
Members of the public wishing to make formal presentations before the Board should make arrangements in
advance with the Superintendent so that such presentations, when appropriate, may be scheduled on the
agenda.
In addition to public participation time during Board meetings, the Board is committed to engaging members
of the community on an ongoing basis regarding community values about education during times other than
the Board's regular meetings.
LEGAL REF.: C.R.S. 24-6-401 et seq. (open meetings law)
CROSS REF.: KE, Public Concerns and Complaints
Revised: 8/25/92, 11/24/14, 3/22/16