Title: Public Input Board Policy
Number: BP 2.17
Adopted: November 2016
Reviewed: November 2016
Revised:
In accordance with Wisconsin Statute §§ 19.81–19.98 Nicolet Area Technical College District Board meetings are open to the public. Meetings are to be conducted in accordance with the published agenda.
The Board may provide time for “Public Input” at a specific point in its regular meetings, and will notice such time on agendas and meeting notices.
Such “Public Input” periods are not considered to be public hearings or a forum for public debate. Statute prohibits the Board from discussing or taking action on an item raised during the “Public Input” period if the item does not already appear on the meeting agenda.
The opportunity for “Public Input” follows a specified procedure and guidelines including:
- The Board Chair will determine the amount of time devoted to public input at any given meeting and may establish a maximum number of individuals to be heard.
- Prior to the start of the meeting, individuals who wish to address the Board must sign in with the Executive Assistant to the Board and complete all questions on the form provided.
- Only individuals signed in to offer public input will be invited by the Board Chair to speak. Individuals will be required to identify themselves prior to their commentary and to limit their remarks to topics listed on the speaker’s form. Comments on additional topics are not permitted and may be ruled out of order by the Board Chair.
- Individuals shall be limited to three minutes and speak only once during the public comment period. Additional time may be granted at the discretion of the Board Chair. Brevity will be appreciated.
- Individuals should not expect to engage in dialogue or discussion with members of the Board on any matters raised during the “Public Input” period. Board members have no obligation to respond to questions or statements.
- Individuals may not engage in debate or dialogue with any other person at the meeting.
Comments shall be respectful and courteous. Comments that are personal, threatening, attack others, are obscene or insulting, berate differing points of view, or are properly subject to closed session such as those relating to personnel matters, will not be allowed. Offending or disruptive individuals will be ruled out of order by the Board Chair, shall immediately stop speaking, and may be required to leave the meeting. The Board Chair may require any attendee who displays disruptive or disrespectful behavior to leave the meeting. If necessary, campus security or law enforcement will assist in removing such individuals.