Education Code Section 72121.5; Government Code Section 54954.2
Public Participation
Members of the public have the right to place matters
directly related to community college district business on the agenda of
governing board meetings.
The West Kern Community College District encourages citizens
to attend board meetings and welcomes their view on pertinent subjects. In order
to afford this opportunity to the public, the following procedures to address
the board have been adopted to insure the proper functioning of board meetings:
Advance Written Request
Any person or group desiring to address the Board of
Trustees is requested to make a written request to the
Superintendent/President at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting,
summarizing the remarks to be made, so that the Board of Trustees may
have knowledge of the subject in advance of the presentation. The
written request will include the name and address of the responsible
person.
Requests During Meeting
Any person who has submitted a request to be heard
will be called on at the appropriate time. Ordinarily, this will be the
second item on the agenda. However, if a person wishes to express
his/her views on an agenda item being considered by the Board of
Trustees, he/she must first be recognized by the President of the Board
and give his/her name and address.
Time Limit for Speakers
A policy of five minutes per speaker has been
established, unless the time limit is waived by a majority of the Board
members present. The Board of Trustees may, if there are a large number
of speakers to be heard, shorten the time. When it appears to the Chair
that there will be a large number of persons speaking to a particular
question, the Chair shall endeavor to alternate speakers for and against
the agenda item under discussion.
Questions and Comments by the Board of Trustees
and the Supt./President
Members of the Board of Trustees and the
Superintendent/President may interrogate a speaker or make comments in
response to the speakers remarks as frequently as necessary in order to
clarify the discussion.
Conduct and Remarks Out of Order
Undue interruption or other interference with the
orderly conduct of the Boards business cannot be allowed. Defamatory or
abusive remarks are always out of order. The Board President may
terminate the speakers privilege of address if after being called to
order he/she persists in improper conduct or remarks.
WKCCD Policies & Procedures
Date of Implementation 1/1/05
