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Citizen Participation Guidelines

Public Comment Procedures for Citizen Participation in Board Meetings

The Bladen County Board of Education welcomes public comments as part of its commitment to transparency and community engagement. Public comments are scheduled during each regular monthly Board meeting and are intended to provide an opportunity for individuals to share input on school programs, policies, and procedures.  To ensure a respectful and orderly process, the following guidelines apply:

Sign-Up Process

  1. Individuals wishing to speak must sign up online using the designated form on the Bladen County Schools website.
  2. The sign-up form will be available on the day of the meeting beginning at 12:00 noon and will close at 4:30 p.m.
  3. Individuals may also contact the Board Clerk (Ms. Karen Larner) in person on the day of the meeting beginning at 12:00 noon until 4:30 PM to sign-up to speak.
  4. Speakers must provide their full name, town of residence, and the topic of their comments.
  5. Speakers must attend the meeting in person in order to participate.

Speaking Guidelines

  1. Each speaker will be allotted three (3) minutes to address the Board. A visible timer will indicate remaining time. When the time expires, speakers must conclude promptly.
  2. Speakers may not yield or share their time with other speakers.
  3. In order to allow for a variety of viewpoints, individuals representing a group with a common issue are encouraged to select a single spokesperson.
  4. Speakers are expected to maintain proper decorum and civility. Personal attacks, insults, offensive language, or disruptive behavior will not be permitted.
  5. Comments must be issue-oriented. Matters involving personnel or student-specific concerns are confidential by law and are not appropriate for public comment. These should be addressed through the appropriate administrative or grievance channels.
  6. Speakers who bring visual materials (e.g., signs or posters) must remove them after their presentation.

Order and Decorum

  • The Board Chair or presiding officer will call speakers in the order registered and may take steps to ensure the meeting remains orderly and productive.
  • Individuals who interrupt, disrupt, or cause a disturbance during the meeting may be directed to leave and could be subject to exclusion from future meetings and/or school property as permitted by law (G.S. 143-318.17).

G.S. 143-318.17: “A person who willfully interrupts, disturbs, or disrupts an official meeting and who, upon being directed to leave the meeting by the presiding officer, willfully refuses to leave the meeting is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.” Penalties for disruption include being directed to leave board meetings by the presiding officer and exclusion from school property.

Special Accommodations

Individuals who require accommodations due to disability are encouraged to contact the Superintendent’s Office at least 24 hours before the meeting at kllarner@bladen.k12.nc.us, or by calling (910) 862-4136.