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How to Prepare for a School Board Meeting

Attendance at school board meetings is an effective way to keep track of administrative and policy decisions made by your local school board. You can also attend school board meetings to make complaints regarding issues on a campus. For example, if your children complain that security is lax at their school, you should visit a school board meeting to bring up this issue before the board. Before attending a meeting, make sure that you have done your research on topics that interest you.

Instructions

    • 1

      Visit your school district website to find out when the next board meeting will be (see Resources). Obtain the agenda for the meeting you want to attend on the district's website. Alternatively, call the school district to have an agenda mailed to you.

    • 2

      Review the agenda several days before the meeting if you intend to speak on an issue. Look for a section titled "Public Comment" or some variation thereof. Some deliberative bodies accept comments on items not on the agenda only during the Public Comment portion.

    • 3

      Arrive at the board meeting several minutes early. If you intend to speak, seek out the board secretary or a board member to inquire about speaking that evening. You may be required to fill out a speaker's card, get in line or raise your hand to be recognized during the meeting's public comment period.

    • 4

      Wait for your turn to be recognized to speak, if you intend to do so. Speak to the board about your issue when recognized. Be aware that board meetings are on the record and that minutes of the meetings are likely to be published on the school board's website.

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