Public Comment at Board Meetings
-
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, additional protocols are in place to ensure healthy at work standards while still allowing for public comment. The meeting and/or public comment will be held via video teleconference during the state of emergency because it is not feasible to offer a primary physical location for the meeting. You may view the meeting on FCPS-ETV or via live stream.
Residents may choose to make a public comment in one of two ways:
1. Register to speak during a Zoom meeting.
2. Submit a written comment to be entered into the official meeting record.Speakers must register by noon on Sunday before the meeting. The registration link and listed process is for the regular meeting only, typically on the fourth Monday of the month.
-
Steps to prepare
1. Set up your equipment.
- Download Zoom for your computer or for your smartphone via the appropriate app store.
- Make sure your smartphone, tablet, computer, or other device has speakers and a microphone.
- Use a headset with a microphone, if possible, to reduce background noise.
2. Review the planning and action agendas and other information before the meeting.
3. If you wish to make a public comment, you must register by noon on the Sunday before the meeting.
4. If you do not feel comfortable participating in a video teleconference meeting, you may submit written comments online. They will be distributed to all FCPS board members and added to the official record.
-
Join via Zoom
1. Join the meeting by clicking on the Zoom link provided in the email confirmation of your registration to speak. (Clicking the link may prompt you to download and run the Zoom app.)
2. Enter the meeting ID if prompted.
3. Click to join the audio conference and turn on your camera. At this point, you will be able to hear and see the meeting on your device.
Note: You must use the same name that you registered with when connecting to the Zoom meeting.
-
Participate in the meeting
1. The board chair will announce the public comment period. He will determine the time allotted to each speaker in consideration of the number who signed up to speak, and speakers cannot yield their time to others.
2. The order of speaking will be determined by the order of registration. Speakers will remain in the Zoom waiting room until it is their turn.
3. Once you are added to the meeting, listen for your name to be called.
4. Speakers should state their name, whether they are an employee of the school district, and the topic of concern.
5. Speakers will be returned to the waiting room after they complete their remarks or when their allotted time has elapsed.
