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Rules for Public Testimony

Please click on BoardDocs to view updates related to rules for public testimony due to COVID-19. 

The Hawking Governing Board welcomes the public to the business meetings of the Board and dedicates time at these meetings to hear from the public on agenda items and other issues of concern.

It is important for all community members to feel welcome and safe in the Board’s business meetings.  Audience members will be expected to treat all attendees with respect and civility, just as Hawking expects of students in our schools.

Each speaker will have up to three (3) minutes to speak at a regular Board meeting. Speakers addressing agenda items will have preference if the list is full. For special Board meetings, public testimony will only be taken on the scheduled agenda item(s).​

If you want to give your time to someone else, you must attend the Board meeting and announce this to the Board when it is your turn to speak. The person to whom you cede your time will receive the remainder of your minutes and should speak to the same topic.

If you have handouts to give to the Board, please bring at least six (6) copies and give them to Board staff ahead of the meeting. 

The Board does not take public comments on issues related to personnel or individually named staff at Board meetings; speakers will be ruled out of order by the Board Chair. The Board Chair will also rule a speaker out of order for the use of name-calling, profanity, racial slurs or threats. Persons who attempt to disrupt the meeting will be asked to leave.

  • One person is to speak at a time.
  • Comments should be addressed to the Board.
  • Please adhere to the time limit on testimony.
  • The focus of comments should be on issues and solutions.
  • No racial slurs, personal insults, ridicule, or threats will be allowed.
  • All signs brought to meetings are subject to these ground rules.

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY

The order of public testimony will be determined as follows: agenda action items, agenda introduction items, and then items of general interest.

The Board agenda is posted on our website 72 hours before regular Board meetings. You can sign up 15 minutes prior to the Board Meeting or e-mail [email protected] to request a time slot at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Please give your legal name, telephone number, e-mail address, and the topic you would like to address. Please note, only the person who will be providing testimony may request the spot.

The Board is not able to contact every person who requests to speak at the meeting.