BOE Limited Open Forum

*Policy BDD - Procedures for Board Meetings

Community Engagement Limited Open Forum

This Limited Open Forum provides opportunities for public engagement that may include a two-way dialogue with Board members, Superintendent, and/or CCPS staff as needed, depending on the nature of the participant’s topic. This limited forum may follow a work session, be part of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting, or be independently held at various locations throughout the county. Attendees do not have to pre-register. Individuals will complete the sign-in sheet prior to the start of the limited forum. The number of speakers will be determined at the discretion of the Board President or CAC Chairperson in the interests of time constraints.

The Board has a significant interest in maintaining civility and decorum during this limited forum, both to ensure the efficient conduct of the people’s business and to maximize public participation in the discussion. To that end, the following content neutral/viewpoint neutral guidelines will be followed:

1. Topics are limited to those issues falling within the jurisdiction of the Board of Education and the operation of the schools within Cecil County.
2. In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, there shall be no sharing of personally identifiable information concerning any particular student.
3. Matters that are the subject of a pending appeal, employee and/or collective bargaining negotiations grievance, or litigation shall not be discussed.
4. Members of the public may express opinions, both favorable or unfavorable, on the performance and conduct of the Superintendent, Leadership Team, and elected Board members in their public roles only. Complaints concerning school system administrators, teachers, and other non-administrative instructional staff should be communicated directly to the Superintendent rather than in the community engagement limited open forum.
5. Personal attacks on members of the public over whom the Board has no jurisdiction are not appropriate.
6. Speakers should try to avoid uttering or reading words or passages that are sexually explicit, profane, vulgar, or obscene except as necessary to convey concerns related to matters affecting the schools (e.g., passages from a book or content of the MSDE Family Life Framework). Speakers are reminded that a point may be made effectively without resort to explicit language and that written comments are always welcome.
7. The Board reserves the right to modify these guidelines prospectively and for good cause, as it determines.