Book: B
Section: Board Governance and Operations
Title: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS 
Code: BEDH 
Status: Active 
Adopted: April 26, 2006
Last Revised: March 31, 2026 
Prior Revised Dates: June 2, 2015, January 19, 2021, June 20, 2023 

The Portland Board of Public Education highly values the participation of Portland Public Schools students, staff, family members, and the broader Portland community in its decision making and oversight of the school district. 

There are three ways the public can provide public comment: 

1. During the general public comment period as identified on a business meeting agenda, if the comments are related to school and education matters; and 
2. If the Board is voting on a substantive, non-personnel agenda item during a business meeting, at the designated time prior to the vote on the main motion, if the comments relate to that specific topic.
3. During a general public comment period as identified on the agenda of a committee meeting, if the comments are related to the content area overseen by that committee.

Each individual’s public comment will be limited to a maximum of three (3) minutes or six (6) minutes for individuals using an interpreter to make their comment. Individuals may not relinquish a portion of their allotted time to another speaker. The individual time limits in this paragraph may be modified at a particular meeting at the discretion of the Board Chair or Committee Chair, as applicable. 

An overall time limit of no less than two hours during a business meeting and no less than 20 minutes during a committee meeting for public comment may be applied as needed, given time restraints and agenda content and the discretion of the Board Chair or the Committee Chair as applicable. Individuals’ comments may be given in person or via Zoom. 

The Board Chair or Committee Chair is responsible for ensuring the orderly conduct of each meeting including the public comment process according to the following rules of order:

1. Speakers will be recognized by the Board Chair or Committee Chair, and comments should be addressed to the Board Chair or Committee Chair.
2. Speakers will introduce themselves by name and city of residence. 
3. Members of the public may speak on any subject directly related to school and education matters except for personnel matters, complaints or positive comments concerning specific employees or individuals, or matters pertaining to individual students, which shall be addressed through established policies and procedures.
4. Discussion of personnel matters is not permitted during the public comment period due to the privacy, confidentiality and due process rights of school employees. For purposes of this policy, “discussion of a personnel matter” means any discussion of job performance or conduct of a school employee, including complaints or positive/complimentary comments about them.
5. Speakers must refrain from engaging in disruptive conduct, including, but not limited to, using vulgar and/or obscene language; threatening others using words or by other actions; using pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender or other identity factor; making defamatory comments; exceeding the allotted time limits; talking over or interrupting others; and offering comment on matters unrelated to school and education matters.
6. The Board will not respond to any comments given, except at the discretion of the Board Chair. The audience is asked to refrain from responding, including applause, comments, or disruptions. 
7. Any concerns about personnel matters and/or student matters should be directed to the Superintendent or another appropriate administrator outside of Board meetings, and in the case of concerns about the Superintendent to the Board, so that they can be addressed through an alternative channel and in a manner consistent with privacy, confidentiality, and due process rights of the individuals involved. 
8. The Board Chair will stop any public comment that is contrary to these rules. 
9. Individuals who refuse to comply with the direction of the Board Chair may be asked to leave in order to allow the Board to conduct its business in an orderly manner. 
    

In addition to speaking during the designated public comment portion of the agenda at Board and committee meetings, members of the public are welcome to submit written comments on school and educational matters to the Board and Superintendent. This option is available for any individual who wishes to share thoughts that exceed the available public comment time during a meeting, for an individual who is unable to attend a meeting, or for an individual who prefers to communicate in this manner. 

Cross References:

BE - Portland Board of Education Meetings
KEB – Complaints About School Personnel