Traut Core Knowledge School Policy for

 Obtaining Community Input at SBMC Meetings

Approved on February 1, 1996

Modified December, 2000

“The Decision Making Matrix provides opportunities for input from those who are affected by a decision” (from the DMM).  This policy outlines how individuals may offer comments at the regularly scheduled SBMC meetings.

1.      After acceptance of the minutes and the agenda, 15 minutes will be designated for community input, either at the beginning of the meeting or just before the discussion of an agenda item. The SBMC chairperson may extend the amount of time for community input an additional 15 minutes as necessary.

2.      Anyone interested in addressing the SBMC will sign in on a designated sign-in sheet. Community Input Guidelines will be available at the sign-in (see attached). These guidelines will direct the speaker to align their comments with the TCKS Character Education Pillar, to keep the presentation and language civil and not slander an individual, and to focus the comments on issues, not individuals.

3.      The SBMC chairperson is responsible for reminding speakers of these guidelines and to terminate any comments that do not adhere to these guidelines, referring the speaker to the appropriate policy, procedure or individual.

4.      Each speaker will be limited to 3 minutes; speakers will state their names and their relation to the TCKS community. Comments may be submitted in writing and will be read by the SBMC Secretary, not to exceed the individual 3 minute limit or the 15 minute limit. Priority will be given to community input from speakers who are present at the SBMC meeting.

5.      There will be no discussion with the speaker offering community input unless an SBMC member requests a speaker to clarify a point.

TCKS Community Input Guidelines

Thank you for offering community input to the SBMC. Below are the SBMC guidelines regarding community input. These guidelines are designed to ensure effective use of the community input portion of SBMC meetings.

• Please sign-in on the Community Input Sign-in.

• Please limit your input to 3 minutes.

• Please state your name and relation to the TCKS community.

• Please identify the agenda item or issue that your input addresses.

• Please use the following questions to help you align your input with the TCKS character education qualities:

o       Are the statements honest and kind?

o       Are the statements respectful of individual differences?

o       Do the statements reflect humility and cooperation?

• Please be aware of the following:
  • Community input should be addressed to issues, not individuals.
  • Persons offering community input are expected to be civil in their language and presentation
  • The chair of the SBMC meeting will ask you to terminate input that does not adhere to these guidelines