From the NJ School Board Association: "Public Comment Sessions: Free Speech or Free-for-All? Unraveling the Legal Ground Rules"
How does this relate to the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education?
Public comment sessions at RIH BOE meetings have become chaotic and contentious. We frequently witness individuals from the public and at the board table using false accusations and personal attacks in an attempt to discredit and silence members of the public who hold differing opinions. Additionally, there is often a lack of effective action from Board President Judy Sullivan in addressing these issues and controlling disruptive behavior. I myself have been heckled at the podium and aggressively followed to my car after meetings.
Below I share a link to a NJ School Board Association article because I feel it is imperative to restore order, foster respectful dialogue, and ensure the dissemination of accurate information during RIH BOE meetings.
Public comment sessions should be an opportunity for passionate advocacy and expression on relevant issues. Public comment sessions should not be a free-for-all. They are opportunities to share opinions and feedback, not lies, misinformation or personal attacks against the "private citizens" who choose to put themselves out there. Most important, the public should not be chilled from participating.
Understanding the legal guidelines and respecting the need for orderly proceedings can help with striking the right balance between honoring the public's right to be heard and ensuring effective governance. Be familiar with the laws, watch your board leaders and hold them accountable for their actions.
The article linked to here was written by David B. Rubin, of counsel to the Busch Law Group. It appeared in School Leader, NJSBA’s quarterly magazine, which focuses on trends and issues of interest to boards of education and their top administrators.