The Beaverton School Board values community input and involvement. We ask that all who present to the Board model respectful behavior so that a variety of viewpoints and perspectives can be shared. Below are the guidelines for written and live public testimony.
Written Public Testimony
The Board will continue to accept written testimony in the same manner that it has for the past year. The comment window will open on Thursday at noon prior to the board meeting and close at noon on the day of the board meeting. Comments will be collected in an electronic form on our website and made available to the Board.
Live or Zoom Public Testimony
The School Board welcomes live public comments during its meetings. Please follow these guidelines:
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The Board has set aside 30 minutes for live public comments. Fifteen (15) people will be invited to speak for two (2) minutes each.
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The commenter may speak about any issue(s) listed on the meeting agenda.
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Any would-be commenter should fill the form to request to present live public comment.
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The opportunity to speak is based on a first-come, first-served model with preference given to student speakers. However, if the Board receives more than 15 requests to comment, each request will be sorted by topic category. District staff will then select cards based on 1) order received and 2) topic variety. No consideration will be given to the commenter’s stance on a particular issue.
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Only selected commenters will be allowed to speak. The time cannot be given or shared with another commenter.
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If the commenter attempts to speak for more than 2 minutes, the Board Chair will issue a single warning. If the commenter continues to speak, the commenter will be muted and removed from the meeting.
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The Board will not hear charges or complaints against any district employee. District employees and board members cannot be named specifically during testimony. If a commenter names a staff or board member once, they’ll be asked to refrain from doing so again. If they name a staff or board members again, their testimony will be ended.
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Board members will listen to the commenter only. Board members will not comment or ask questions.
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Community members in attendance are asked not to interrupt a commenter’s testimony or the board meeting. If such an interruption occurs, the person interrupting will be given a warning. If it occurs again, they’ll be asked to leave.
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If you are selected (by random drawing if over 15 names were submitted) to speak, you will receive an email with the zoom link from BSD between 12:00 and 3:00 on the day of the meeting.
