BEDH: Public Comment at School Committee Meetings

All regular and special meetings of the School Committee will be open to the public. Executive sessions will be held only as prescribed by the Statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Committee desires individuals to attend its meetings so that they may become better acquainted with the operations and the programs of our local public schools. In addition, the Committee would like the opportunity to hear public comment.

Public comment is not a discussion, debate, or dialogue between individuals and the School Committee. It is an individual's opportunity to express an opinion on issues within the School Committee's authority.

To ensure the ability of the School Committee to discuss the District’s business in an orderly manner, accomplish both those goals, the following rules and procedures are adopted:

At the start of each regularly scheduled Committee meeting, individuals will sign in for an opportunity to speak during Public Comment and will be provided relevant instructions. The Chair will determine the length of the Public Comment segment. Speakers are encouraged to present their remarks in a respectful manner.

Speakers will be allowed up to three (3) minutes to present their material and must begin their comments by stating their name and city/town.  The presiding Chair may permit extension of this time limit in extenuating circumstances.

The members of the public shall limit their remarks to matters on the agenda for the meeting at which they speak and shall be out of order if said speaker addresses other issues not on the agenda. This rule may be suspended by unanimous consent of the members. Comments and complaints regarding school personnel (apart from the Superintendent) or students are generally prohibited unless those comments and complaints concern matters within the scope of School Committee authority.

The Chair of the meeting, after a warning, reserves the right to terminate speech which is not constitutionally protected because it constitutes true threats that are likely to provoke a violent reaction and cause a breach of the peace, or incitement to imminent lawless conduct, or contains obscenities.

Written comments longer than three (3) minutes may be presented to the Presiding Chair. All remarks will be addressed through the Chair of the meeting. Comments made during the public comment portion of the meeting do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Melrose School Committee.

MSC Informational Review: 10/13/20

MSC First Vote: 10/27/20

MSC Second Vote: 11/10/20