West Shore

School District

Guidelines for Meetings and Comments

Public Participation Parameters

October 2021

Effective October 21, 2021, a face covering (i.e. a mask, face shield) is required for in-person attendance at our Board Meetings. This decision aligns with the District Health and Safety Plan, and the Order issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health directing that face coverings be worn indoors by individuals visiting school entities.

For any individual exempt from or choosing not to wear a face covering, the Board has provided accommodations to attend virtually and comment electronically for all meetings.

August 2021

Pursuant to Board Policy 006: Meetings, the administration developed procedures establishing reasonable parameters for the organization of public comment. District students, parents, residents, taxpayers, partners, and community groups are eligible to share their comments with the Board.

In Person Attendance/Participation

Each resident/student wishing to comment shall have one (1) opportunity for public comment related to business items and one (1) opportunity for public comment regarding general items:

Requests to comment must be submitted prior to the start of the meeting.
Requests to comment must be submitted on the appropriate form (known as the blue card) ) available at the meeting, and the form must be completed fully.
When addressing the Board in person, public comments will be limited to three (3) minutes.
The Board or Administration may respond to comments at their discretion.
Requests to comment received after the meeting has started will be provided to Board members following the meeting for review; however, individuals will not have the opportunity to speak publicly.

Should a new agenda item be added for discussion after the start of the meeting, public comment will be received on that new agenda item until the time that agenda-related public comments have concluded.

Remote Attendance/Participation

Each resident/student wishing to comment shall have one (1) opportunity for public comment related to business items and one (1) opportunity for public comment regarding general items:

Electronic comments must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Comments should be sent via email to the Board Secretary at [email protected].
Electronic comment submission must contain the resident/student's full name, full postal address, organization if applicable, and school if the sender is a student. Without these details, the comment will not be shared with the Board. If not clearly identified as a student comment, the remarks will be considered a public comment.
Electronic comments received by 12:00 p.m. the day of the board meeting will be shared with board members in their entirety prior to the start of the meeting for their review.
The Board or Administration may respond to comments at their discretion.
Electronic comments received after 12:00 p.m. will be provided to Board members following the meeting for their review.

Link to Board Meeting Livestream

Accommodations

To ensure all individuals have an opportunity to speak, any resident/student who needs a reasonable accommodation for public comment is requested to contact the Board Secretary at 717-938-9577 at least three (3) business days in advance of the meeting.