PUBLIC COMMENTS - MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MUST ATTEND THE BOARD MEETING IN PERSON TO SUBMIT A COMMENT
This OPUSD School Board Meeting is a business meeting of the Board conducted in public. The public and the media are free to watch the board work, but please note the Board will not be engaging in a discussion with members of the public while conducting District business at an appropriately agendized meeting.
At every regular Board Meeting, there is an opportunity for public comment on Agenda and non-Agenda items. Anyone wishing to comment must make this known to us by submitting the Speaker Card to Ragini Aggarwal, our Public Information and Strategic Communications Officer.
In order to conduct district business in an orderly and efficient manner, the Board requires that public comments to the Board comply with the following procedures:
- Public comments at regular meetings can be on the agenda or non-agenda items as long as they fall under the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board.
- Public comments at special meetings can only be made on items on the meeting agenda. Comments on non-agenda items are not permitted at a special board meeting.
- At a regular board meeting the Board shall give members of the public an opportunity to address the Board on any item of interest to the public that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board, either before or during the Board's consideration of the item. (Education Code 35145.5; Government Code 54954.3)
- At a time so designated on the agenda at a regular meeting, members of the public may bring before the Board matters that are not listed on the agenda. The Board shall take no action or discussion on any item not appearing on the posted agenda except as authorized by law. (Education Code 35145.5; Government Code 54954.2)
- Without taking action, Board members or district staff members may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by the public about items not appearing on the agenda. Additionally, on their own initiative or in response to questions posed by the public, Board members or staff members may ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement, or make a brief report on their own activities. (Government Code 54954.2)
- Please adhere to the stipulated 3 minutes for individual speaker comments. Individual speakers shall be allowed three (3) minutes for speaker comments. The Board shall limit the total time for public input on each item to 20 minutes. With Board consent, the Board president may increase or decrease the time allowed for public presentation, depending on the topic and the number of persons wishing to be heard.
During the meeting, the board will listen but will not respond to public comments. If it is determined that a response is needed to comment on an agendized item, it will come after the board has had time to deliberate the issue, seek additional information, or take recommendations from the Superintendent or Staff. If necessary, the Board may ask questions for clarification.
Please know that all comments are important to us. Thank you for your cooperation and compliance with these guidelines.
All Board Actions and Discussions are electronically recorded and maintained for thirty days. Interested parties may review the recording upon request. Upon request by a student's parent/guardian, or by the student if age 18 or older, the minutes shall not include the student's or parent/guardian's address, telephone number, date of birth, or email address, or the student's name or other directory information as defined in Education Code 49061. The request to exclude such information shall be made in writing to the secretary or clerk of the Board. (Education Code 49073.2)
All Oak Park Board of Education meetings are open to the public, and all Board business takes place in public except for discussion on some specific topics where the Board meets in Closed Session. Closed Session agenda items are announced in public and then discussed with only Board members and District staff present. Closed Sessions are permitted by law and held in accordance with the state Open Meeting laws to allow Board Members to discuss confidential legal, personnel, and collective bargaining matters. Most of the official business of the Board is conducted during regularly scheduled meetings on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at Oak Park High School Presentation Room G9 unless otherwise indicated. Upcoming meeting dates and agendas can be found below. Meeting Agendas for meetings are posted electronically on this page of the district website. For special accommodation or questions, please contact Ragini Aggarwal, Public Information & Strategic Communications Officer, at raggarwal@opusd.org or 818-735-3206.