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BEDH - Public Comment at School Board Meetings

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

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

At special, emergency, or workshop meetings, public comments will be limited to the topic(s) of the particular meeting.

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

The Board will include a public comment period at the following points:

  1. During regular business meetings, within each item of new business.  Comments made at this time must pertain to the specific agenda item.
  2. During regular business meetings, in the public comment section of the agenda. Comments made at this time must pertain directly to the specific operations, management, policies, educational practices, and/or governance of the Falmouth School Department.
  3. During workshop meetings, when the Board requests comments on specific workshop topics. Comments made during workshop meetings are permitted only when requested by the Board and any such comments must pertain directly to the topic on which the School Board is seeking public input.

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

  1. Speakers will be recognized by the Board Chair, and comments should be addressed to the Board Chair. Requests for information or concerns that require further research may be referred to the Superintendent for further action, if necessary.
  2. In order to make efficient use of limited time, individuals will be permitted to speak for no more than three minutes on each item of new business. General public comment will be limited to three minutes per speaker, except when permitted by the Board Chair or by a vote of the Board. Speakers will state their name and town of residence.
  3. In order to allow all Board members, meeting participants, remote and delayed viewers equal access to public comment information, visual aids or handouts are not permitted. Assistive technology and notes for the speaker’s use are permitted. 
  4. To maintain an orderly and timely meeting, spontaneous comments and applause from the audience are not permitted.
  5. Speakers are expected to follow rules of common etiquette and decorum, including refraining from using vulgar 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 comment on matters unrelated to the schools’ programs, policies, or operations.
  6. Discussion of personnel matters is not permitted during the public comment period due to the privacy, confidentiality and due process rights of school employees. For purposes of this policy, “discussion of a personnel matter” means any discussion of job performance or conduct of a school employee, including complaints or positive/complimentary comments about them.
  7. Discussion of matters involving individual students is also not permitted during the public comment period due to the privacy, confidentiality, and due process rights of students.
  8. Any concerns about personnel matters or student matters should be directed to the Superintendent or another appropriate administrator outside of Board 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.
  9. The Board Chair will stop any public comment that is contrary to these rules.
  10. Individuals who disrupt a Board meeting may be asked to leave in order to allow the Board to conduct its business in an orderly manner. The Board Chair may request the assistance of law enforcement if necessary to address disruptions or safety concerns.

Cross References:

BE – School Board Meetings
BEC - Executive Sessions
BEDB - Agenda
BED - Remote Access to Board Meetings
BEDD - Conduct of Board Meetings, Procedural Rules
JRA – Student Records and Information
KEB - Complaints about School Personnel

Legal References:

Title 1, M.R.S.A. §405
Title 20-A, M.R.S.A. §1001
Title 20-A, M.R.S.A. §6001
Title 20-A, M.R.S.A. §6101
Title 26, M.R.S.A. §631
M.R.S.A. §403-B
M.R.S.A. §406

Adopted: April 9, 2007

Revised: 

November 15, 2010
October 18, 2012
December 19, 2022
October 16, 2023
October 15, 2025