Public Comment

Public Participation in Board of Education Meetings

The Board of Education genuinely welcomes and values public attendance and participation at Board of Education meetings as an essential part of our democratic process. These guidelines are designed to ensure a respectful, safe, and productive environment for everyone.

Public Attendance at BOE Meetings

Welcome and Entry

Arrival: Please check in briefly with our friendly security personnel upon entering the building. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Safety and Comfort: To maintain a safe and comfortable environment, security personnel may respectfully request that oversized items or those that could pose a safety concern (e.g., large signs, equipment) be stored safely, such as in your vehicle, before entering the meeting space. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping the boardroom welcoming for all.

Room Capacity and Waiting Area

Ensuring Comfort for All: If the number of attendees exceeds the official capacity of the boardroom, we will invite guests to wait in a designated, monitored area just outside the room.
Seamless Transition: Guests in the waiting area will be called in for their scheduled Public Comment time. Our security team is present to ensure a smooth and respectful atmosphere in all areas.

Conduct and Maintaining a Productive Environment

Community Standards: We ask all attendees to honor the standards of conduct outlined in Board Policy KFAA, whether in the boardroom or the designated waiting space. This policy promotes mutual respect and a focus on our students' educational needs.
Respectful Dialogue: Should any guest's conduct disrupt the proceedings or the safety of others, the Superintendent or their designee may respectfully request that the guest leave the property. Our goal is always to maintain a space where the Board can conduct business effectively and all voices can be heard constructively.
Security Support: In rare instances where a guest declines to follow the direction of staff, a Douglas County Sheriff Deputy will be asked to assist in guiding the individual off the premises.

Respecting the Dais and Board Focus

Supporting Media Coverage

Designated Space: Media representatives are provided with a specific area to ensure thorough and professional coverage of the meeting.
Interview Requests: To allow the Board and staff to remain focused on the meeting agenda, please direct all interview requests and questions to the DCSD Public Information Officer (PIO) before or after the meeting.
Connecting with Attendees: Media is welcome to respectfully interview other meeting attendees in the designated public waiting areas outside of the meeting room.

Focusing on Safety

Commitment to Safety: The safety of everyone — our students, staff, Board, and community — is our highest priority.
Brief Pause: Safety and Security personnel have the authority to briefly pause proceedings and clear the room if they perceive a potential safety concern. This is a precautionary measure.
Re-entry: We will promptly notify guests when it is safe to re-enter and resume the proceedings.

Commitment to Follow Up

Public Comment

Registration and Logistics

Online Registration: Registration to speak is conveniently available online once the meeting agenda is posted (typically on the Friday before a scheduled Tuesday Regular Board Meeting).
Deadline: Please sign up by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the day of the Regular Board Meeting.
Confirmation: Registered speakers will receive an email confirming their spot no later than 3:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Contact: For any questions regarding Public Comment, please contact Shauna Manitoken.

Our Core Values for Public Comment

Guiding Policy: Board Policy BEDH, Public Participation at School Board Meetings, guides how we receive public comment.
Valuing Diverse Input: The Board deeply values hearing diverse viewpoints from all citizens across our community, especially on items listed on the meeting agenda and issues impacting the educational success of our students.
Appropriate Setting: We kindly request that all public comments remain appropriate for a K-12 educational audience.

How to Comment

Facilitating a Respectful Environment

To ensure that Public Comment reflects the Board’s values and remains appropriate for a K–12 setting, the Board President may pause, redirect, or conclude a commenter’s remarks if they contain discriminatory or harassing language, attack a staff member or student by name, confidential or identifiable student information, or otherwise disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting. This authority supports the Board’s commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and productive environment for all participants.

Time Allotment

Handling Specific Concerns

Submitting Written Materials

Board of Education Public Comment

Registration is available online after the agenda is posted on the Friday before a scheduled Tuesday Regular Board Meeting. The deadline to sign up for public comment is by 12:00 p.m. (noon) the day of the regularly scheduled Regular Board Meeting. Speakers will receive an email confirming registration no later than 3:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Questions regarding Public Comment can be emailed to Shauna Manitoken, at slmanitoken@dcsdk12.org or 303-387-0258.

Public Comment Information

DCSD Board of Education Meeting Safety and Security Protocols linked here
Board Policy BEDH Public Participation at School Board Meetings guides how public comment to the Board is received. The Board values hearing diverse viewpoints from a broad spectrum of citizens throughout our community, specifically items listed on the Board meeting agenda and on issues that impact the educational needs of our students.
Please keep all public comment appropriate for a K-12 audience.
Public Comment can be made in person in the DCSD Boardroom located at the DCSD Legacy Campus 10034 S. Peoria Street, Parker, CO 80135 or virtually via Zoom (see Zoom Participation Information below). Due to limited staff resources, speakers cannot switch from in-person to Zoom comment.
Registered speakers typically have up to three (3) minutes to address the Board. The Board president or presiding chair of the meeting shall have the discretion to adjust the time allotted for public input as may be necessary to allow the Board ample time to discuss its current business
Board Policy KE Public Complaints outlines the process for specific individual concerns and complaints to be handled and resolved as close to the origin as possible. Any complaint about school personnel shall always be referred back through proper administrative channels before it is presented to the Board for consideration and action.
If written testimony or a handout is submitted, please provide twelve (12) copies (single sided and collated) directly to the Board Assistant Secretary seated at the end of the dais.

Zoom Participation Information

Speakers who registered for Zoom participation will:

receive an email with the Zoom link by 3:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting and should complete the Zoom registration to join the Zoom meeting, which will open at 4:55 p.m.
remain muted until the Board President calls the speaker’s name.
hear the statement ‘15 seconds remaining’ and once the allotted time is completed, the speaker will be muted.

Speakers can leave the Zoom meeting once the speaker’s comment is concluded and view the meeting on the YouTube meeting link .

Our staff will not be able to provide assistance with technical issues once the meeting has started.

Public Comment Registration Form

Communicating with the Board by Email

Any individual wishing to provide written comments to the Board can do so at any time by emailing the Board Directors. Director email addresses are listed on the Board of Education Directory webpage linked here.

Interpreter Services

Do you need an interpreter for a meeting? If yes, please complete this form.
¿Necesita un intérprete para la reunión? En caso afirmativo, complete este formulario.
對於此會議，您是否需要翻譯人員的協助？如果需要請填寫此表。
Вам нужен переводчик для встречи? Если да, пожалуйста, заполните эту форму.