In-Person Speakers:
- Pre-Agenda Public Input Period Speakers.
- Members of the public who wish to speak during the Pre-Agenda Public Input Period (on non-agenda items) will move through a separate line where they will be given a pre-numbered speaker card (blue card) to fill out and turn in at the Information Desk in the lobby prior to entering the Board chambers.
- Pre-Agenda Public Input Period speaker cards (blue cards) are only accepted at the Information Desk in the lobby beginning fifteen (15) minutes prior to the meeting’s start time.
- Only members of the public who fill out the pre-numbered Pre-Agenda Public Input Period speaker card (blue card) and turn it in prior to the start of the meeting will be permitted to speak.
- Note that Policy BEDH allocates thirty (30) minutes for the Pre-Agenda Public Input Period and allows up to three (3) minutes per speaker, so it is possible that not all speakers will have an opportunity to speak.
- In no event will Pre-Agenda Public Input Period speaker cards (blue cards) be accepted once the meeting has started.
- Members of the public who do not wish to speak during the Pre-Agenda Public Input Period will follow the line leading directly to the Board chambers.
- Regular School Board Meeting, Public Hearing, or Rule Development Workshop Public Comment Period Speakers.
- Members of the public who wish to speak during the Public Comment Period (on an agenda item) at a Regular Meeting, Public Hearing, or Rule Development Workshop will move through a separate line where they will be given a pre-numbered speaker card (yellow card) to fill out and turn in at the Information Desk in the lobby prior to entering the Board chambers.
- Public Comment Period speaker cards (yellow cards) are only accepted at the Information Desk in the lobby beginning fifteen (15) minutes prior to the meeting’s start time.
- Only members of the public who fill out the pre-numbered Public Comment Period speaker card (yellow card) and turn it in prior to the start of the meeting will be permitted to speak.
- In no event will Public Comment Period speaker cards (yellow cards) be accepted once the meeting has started.
- Members of the public who do not wish to speak during the Public Comment Period will follow the line leading directly to the Board chambers.
Telephonic Speakers:
- For those members of the public who wish to address the School Board during the Pre-Agenda Public Input Period (on non-agenda topics), the telephone number for such participation is 407-250-6270.
- For those members of the public who wish to address the School Board on an item on the agenda at a Regular School Board Meeting, Public Hearing, or Rule Development Workshop during the Public Comment Period, the telephone number for such participation is 407-250-6270.
- Callers may only get into the calling queue beginning fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the Pre-Agenda Public Input Period (on non-agenda topics) and/or fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the Regular School Board Meeting, Public Hearing, or Rule Development Workshop for topics on the agenda (the Public Comment Period will begin and public comment will be taken as the School Board goes through the agenda).
- Callers who get into the calling queue in the allotted time (fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of each meeting) will hear a brief message advising them to hold. OCPS staff will answer those calls on hold in the order received, take the caller's name and telephone number in case the call gets disconnected, and place the caller in the queue for the applicable School Board meeting.
- In no event will the calling line remain open for additional callers after the meetings have started.Callers who call in outside of the allotted time will only hear the line ringing and the call will not be picked up.
Via Email:
Members of the public who wish to provide public comment via email for the School Board's consideration at the Regular School Board Meeting, Public Hearing, or Rule Development Workshop may send an email to [email protected] by 5:00 PM on the Monday before the scheduled meeting.
The public is asked to provide their name, address, agenda item, and written public comment so that OCPS staff can properly sort each public comment as it applies to each agenda item for discussion at the applicable meeting. The emails that are received by that time will be compiled by OCPS staff and provided to each School Board member electronically and/or in hard copy for consideration by 10:00 AM the day of the meeting.
Special Meetings and Annual Reorganization Meeting:
- Special Meetings, though infrequent, are held as needed and are afforded the most appropriate, effective, and reasonable notice under the circumstances. Under Board Policy BEDH, the Public Input Period only occurs prior to a Pre-Agenda Meeting for a regularly scheduled Board meeting and is not available during other meetings of the Board. The public is afforded the opportunity to provide public comment on items that are on the agenda for the Special Meeting.
- The School Board is required by Section 1001.371, Florida Statutes, to hold an Annual Reorganization Meeting. Because this is a ministerial meeting, there will be no opportunity for the public to provide input. Section 286.0114(3), Florida Statutes, provides that the public’s “opportunity to be heard” does not apply to “[a]n official act involving no more than a ministerial act, including but not limited to, approval of minutes and ceremonial proclamations.”
Ministerial Acts. Section 286.0114(3), Florida Statutes, provides that the public’s “opportunity to be heard” does not apply to “[a]n official act involving no more than a ministerial act, including but not limited to, approval of minutes and ceremonial proclamations.” Accordingly, members of the public who wish to speak to an action agenda item during a Regular School Board Meeting may speak on items 3-15 and/or item 17; the remainder of the agenda items are either ministerial or are not a “proposition” before the School Board.