Guidelines for Public Participation

Public Participation at Board Meeting

The board wishes to hear the viewpoints of citizens throughout the district and considers the responsible presentation of these viewpoints vital to the efficient operation of the school system.  The board also recognizes its responsibility for the proper governance of the schools and the need to conduct its business in an orderly and efficient manner.  The board, therefore, directs the superintendent to establish procedures providing for limited participation at school board meetings for the citizens of this district.

Meetings of the Ardmore Board of Education are open to the public.

Meeting Location: Administration Building

Board Room
611 Veterans Blvd.
Ardmore, OK 73401

The following guidelines shall apply with regard to individuals wanting to place an action item on the board agenda:

  1. Any individual wishing to have an item placed on the board agenda for action shall communicate such a wish to the superintendent by letter.  The letter must state the nature of the matter to be discussed, the full name, address, and phone number of the person making the request, and what is expected from the board.  The letter must be received by the superintendent at least ten (10) business days prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting.  The superintendent will discuss the request with the board president and they will determine if the item is to be placed on the agenda.

  1. If the Board President and/or the Superintendent determine that an item received in written format should be placed on the Board agenda, the individual requesting the item will be given four (4) minutes to discuss with the Board why they feel the Board should consider and/or act on their request.   The board president may require all proponents of one side of an issue to elect one spokesperson.

The following guidelines apply with regard to individuals wanting to be placed on the board agenda for items not requiring board action:

The Open Meeting Act gives the public a right to be present at the board meetings and to see and hear everything. While the act requires open meetings, it does not guarantee all citizens the right to participate in the meetings. Neither the Open Meeting Act nor the Constitution grants to members of the public the right to be heard by public bodies.  However, in an effort to allow individuals an avenue to express concerns or to make comments on items not requiring action, the following guidelines have been set:

  1. Any person wishing to make a comment to the Board of Education on items not requiring action shall submit a written request to the President of the Board asking to be placed on the agenda and stating the nature or subject matter of the comment, at least ten (10) business days prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting.  The written request should also include the full name, address, and phone number of the person making the request.  Whether such request shall be granted will be at the discretion of the Board President and the Superintendent of Schools.

  2. The comment should be:
                a) Mailed to: PO Box 1709, Ardmore, OK  73402 Attn: Board of Education

    ; or
                b) Hand-delivered to: 611 Veterans Blvd, Ardmore, OK
                    Attn: Board of Education

  3. The Board President will follow up with the Superintendent for any items that require further investigation or a possible response.

Note: Any individual asking to be placed on the Board agenda for a complaint for which a resolution has not been sought through the proper staff or administrative channels or any business that did not originate at the proper staff or administrative level will not be placed on the agenda. The Superintendent and/or the presiding officer shall make any final determinations necessary as to whether or not prior and appropriate resolution has been sought concerning the complaint.