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Public Forum Procedures
Find the procedures and registration link for sharing public comments during board of trustee meetings.
On this page
The board of trustees welcomes members of the public to its meetings. The purpose of board meetings is to allow trustees to conduct the business of the district.
The Public Forum segment at each meeting provides an opportunity for members of the public to convey information to the board.
Public Forum on the agenda
The trustees will include a Public Forum section on the posted agenda for each meeting. A written agenda is posted for each board meeting at least 3 business days before the scheduled meeting. If an emergency meeting is authorized, an agenda will be posted at least three hours before the meeting.
See the Board Meetings page for information about the scheduling of board meetings.
The Public Forum section for agenda-related topics is usually listed on the agenda just before the first business item. To help manage meetings, handle large numbers of speakers, or address special circumstances, the board allows the presiding officer to make adjustments to public comment procedures. These adjustments may include giving more time for public comments, setting an overall time limit, or changing how much time each speaker has.
Allowed comment topics
There are different guidelines for allowed comment topics depending on the type of meeting.
Note: Complaints about student discipline, specific student issues or personnel must be addressed through appropriate administrative channels, not during any public forum.
| Meeting Type | Pre-registration required | Allowed comments |
|---|---|---|
| Board Bond Special Meeting | Yes | Must be directly related to the posted and noticed agenda items. |
| Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee Meeting | Yes | Must be directly related to the posted and noticed agenda items. |
| Academic and District Affairs Committee Meeting | Yes | Must be directly related to the posted and noticed agenda items. |
| Regular Board Meeting | Yes | May be on any topic or subject allowable to be presented in a public forum. Are not limited to the meeting’s posted and noticed agenda items. |
| Special Called Board Meeting | Yes | Must be directly related to the posted and noticed agenda items. |
| Working Meeting | Yes | Must be directly related to the posted and noticed agenda items. |
| Public hearings | No | Limited to the specific topic noticed for the public hearing |
Formal complaints
Public Forum is not the appropriate forum for the presentation of formal complaints. The district maintains a formal grievance policy to address complaints. The board will only consider formal complaints that remain unresolved after they have been addressed through proper administrative channels and when they have been placed on the agenda. Anyone who wishes to make a complaint regarding an employee should comply with the appropriate complaint policy. (DGBA – Employee Complaints; FNG – Student/Parent Complaints; GF – Public Complaints). Complaint policies are available on the Garland ISD policy manual website.
Options for addressing the board
Individuals who wish to participate in a Public Forum may choose to speak in person at the meeting or submit their comments to be read aloud by a representative. In both cases, online registration is required several days before the meeting. See below for the specific guidelines.
Registration window
Registration for a meeting opens once the agenda for the meeting is posted in BoardBook. This is typically 3 business days before the meeting's start time.
The form closes at 4 p.m. the day before the meeting's start time.
Protocols for addressing the board
Expand AllSpeaking in person
The Board Services Manager will call the name of each speaker who has registered via the online Public Forum form.
Each speaker should approach the podium when his or her name is called. An adjustable microphone is affixed to the podium in the Board Room. The speaker should clearly state his or her name, address and district affiliation.
The board will not engage in dialogue with a speaker. Specific factual information or reference to an existing policy may be furnished in response to inquiries or statements. The board cannot deliberate or make a decision on any subject that is not on the agenda.
Speakers should practice normal rules of decorum. Audio recordings are not to be played while speaking, and vulgar language and profanity will not be tolerated. Remarks or other conduct that disrupt the meeting are considered out of order and will not be allowed.
Visitors and staff must listen quietly and respectfully during the public comment section whether they agree or disagree with a speaker’s message. Persons who disrupt the meeting will be cautioned to observe meeting rules. Persons who persist in disrupting the meeting may be removed from the meeting.
Absent during Public Forum
Any registered speaker who indicated they will deliver comments in person but is absent from the meeting at the time of the Public Forum forfeits the opportunity to address the board at that meeting.
Written materials and signs
A speaker who wishes to provide written materials to the Board of Trustees must bring at least nine (9) copies of the materials to the board meeting. A copy of the materials will be provided to the trustees before the speaker is called. The speaker may not distribute materials when he or she is called to speak.
Participants and members of the audience are allowed to bring signs during the meeting, but such signs shall be limited to a standard poster board size, no larger than 22”x28”. Individual signs that when put together form a larger sign need to comply with the 22”x28” size requirement, as measured when the signs are put together.
Allotted time
Each speaker is limited to a total of three* minutes and a speaker may not use time of another speaker to extend his or her comment period. Note: A speaker who addresses the Board through a translator will have six* minutes to present comments to ensure that non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to address the Board.
Staff will set a three*-minute light indicated timer for each speaker. Prior to the green light, the speaker will give their name, address and affiliation to the district, then the timer begins.
At the yellow light, the speaker will have one minute remaining on their time. At the red light and alarm, the speaker shall end his or her comments.
Any speaker who fails to stop speaking and yield the podium at the end of his or her allotted time is considered out of order and may be escorted from the podium and/or asked to leave the meeting.
*Comment speaking times will vary between 1 to 3 minutes, depending on the number of speakers. The Board President will determine the time allotment after receiving all speaker form submissions.
Having your comments read by a representative
Instead of speaking in person, you have the option to submit a written statement for public comment. You must register online with the Public Comment Registration Form during the appropriate registration window.
Submitted statements will be shared with the Board of Trustees prior to the meeting and will be read aloud during the meeting in the order received after all in-person speakers have completed their comments.
Register to make a public comment
Persons wishing to address the board must complete the online public comment registration form using the link below. No on-site registration is available.
Online registration will be available according to the time on the agenda until 4 p.m., the day prior to the start of the posted meeting. Any registrations submitted outside of the appropriate registration window will be disregarded.
Speakers are limited to one comment per meeting and you must complete a separate public comment registration form for each meeting. A speaker who comments during a public hearing is still eligible to speak during the regular meeting public comment period if they submitted a registration form for each meeting.
Individuals wishing to participate during Public Forum, must:
- Complete the registration form in full.
- Indicate which agenda item, if applicable, they plan to address.
- Indicate if they will be present at the meeting to make his/her own comments during the designated time for Public Forum.
- Provide their written statement if they wish for it to be read by a representative instead of appearing in person.
Register to make a public comment
Note: If you don't have the technology necessary to complete the online submission form, you can call the Board Services Manager at (972) 487-3293 for assistance.
Contact us
For questions about submitting public comments, contact the Board Services Manager using the contact information below: