During Wednesday’s regularly scheduled school board meeting, the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) Board of Education established new rules and conduct for public speakers at board meetings.
“This is our first time to be back in person with the public here and I think it is fiercely important that we as a board affirm what our standing on rules and regulations for appearances and attendance at our meetings,” said Board President Joe Buck.
Citizens are welcomed to speak, Buck said, but they will have to be civil.
“More importantly, I’m acutely aware of the increased interest in public school boards across the nation,” he said.” In the past several months, we’ve had visitors to our meetings who use the meeting as a means to express that anger and their unhappiness.”
The new rules stipulate that “all comments shall be made in a professional manner that is not disruptive to the meeting” and that “guests should avoid name-calling toward staff/board members and should avoid using profanity.”
Buck said as president of the board he will not allow anyone from the public to scream, yell or exhibit rude behavior in the boardroom, and he reserved the right to call anyone out of order who violates the rules.
The new rules of public engagement were outlined on cards and handed out at Wednesday’s board meeting.
“As we continue to open our meetings for more and more involvement, I want it clearly understood that I will use the gavel to call people out of order,” he said. “I will ensure that those speaking have the right to speak, but that accusations and defamatory speech will not be allowed. If those speaking choose not to abide by our rules of operation in this building, and bound rules of civility and public discourse, they will be asked to leave.”
Bianca Moorman is the education reporter. Reach her at BMoorman@gannett.com or 912-239-7706. Find her on Twitter @biancarmoorman.
If you go
What: SCCPSS board informal session
When: 11 a.m. Wednesday Jan. 5
What: SCCPSS board meeting
When: 2 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 5
Where: Whitney Administrative Complex, Building G, 2 Laura Ave.
Credit: Original article published here.
