Public Comment

Public Comment (Pursuant to Board Policy BCBI)

The USD 497 Board of Education welcomes public comments and thanks you for taking time to talk to us about our policies and procedures. We set aside this time during our regular meetings to hear from the public.

Patrons who wish to participate in public comment must fill out the public comment registration form so that district staff or the board can follow up with you, as necessary.

This is your time to share your opinions. However, public comment is not the appropriate forum for making complaints about specific staff or students. If your comments relate to complaints concerning students or staff, such complaints must be addressed to district staff as provided under Board Policies KN and GAE (General Complaints and Personnel Complaints). The board president or presiding officer of the meeting may direct that a public comment request be redirected to staff to comply with board policy, including and/or to protect the privacy of individual staff or students. If you need assistance in sharing a complaint or concern with district staff, let the board clerk or other district staff know.  

Topics discussed in public comment shall be germane to the business of the board. Furthermore, comments must comply with standards laid out in Board Policy GAAE and Board Policy JGECA (Antibullying and Hazing of Staff and Students). Comments or acts that are threatening to staff, the board, or others in attendance, including the use of language or behavior that is disruptive of the board meeting, will not be permitted during public comment. In addition, because students may be in attendance or watching online, members of the public will refrain from using foul or obscene language.

The district assumes no responsibility and/or liability for the information shared during public comment. The views expressed are solely those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Lawrence Public Schools.

The board president or presiding officer will invite comment on topics not included on the meeting agenda at the beginning or end of each meeting. Comments relating to agenda items are welcomed after the board has had the opportunity to discuss the topic. Limit your comments to 3 minutes.  Patrons who are unable to comply with the above procedures may email their comments/viewpoints to the board at schoolboard@usd497.org.  

Public Comment Sign-Up Procedures

The school board appreciates patrons taking the time to talk to the board about its policies and procedures. Patrons will be invited to share comments as part of the Public Comment portion, at the end of the meeting, as outlined in Board Policy BCBI. This time is set aside on the board’s agenda for members of the public to share their thoughts; it is not a time for dialogue with or a question-and-answer session with the board.

Patrons who wish to participate in public comment in person must email the clerk of the board at PublicComment@usd497.org by NOON on the day of the board meeting. Please send the following information when emailing PublicComment@usd497.org: Name, Email, Phone (Optional), Group/School Affiliation, and Topic You Wish to Address.

If several patrons have the same comments to make, the board asks that they appoint one individual to state the group's collective comments.

Please indicate whether you have a student speaker, as the board president will allow them to speak first.

You will receive a confirmation email that you are on the list on the day of the meeting. If you have not received an email by 4:00 p.m., please reach out again (PublicComment@usd497.org) or call the board clerk at 785-330-4970 for confirmation.

If your comments require follow-up from the board or staff, that will occur after the meeting. The district assumes no responsibility or liability for the information shared during Public Comment. The views expressed are solely those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Lawrence Public Schools.