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School boards over the past year and a half have found themselves unexpectedly in the crosshairs of public attention amid divisive topics, including critical race theory, mask requirements, and quarantine and isolation policies.
But speaking out at school board meetings does not have to be a confrontation, and many school boards in Kansas provide easy ways to address board members at their meetings.
The Wichita Beacon compiled a guide to school board meetings and public comment policies to help facilitate public participation in decisions involving schools and children.
While most school boards include provisions for public comment, Kansas law generally doesn’t mandate it. Exceptions include budget hearings or discussion on whether to close a school building.
Click on the links below to read more about each district’s regular meeting schedule, location and policies on public comment.
- Andover USD 385
- Derby USD 260
- Goddard USD 265
- Haysville USD 261
- Maize USD 266
- Valley Center USD 262
- Wichita USD 259
Andover USD 385
Regular meetings: 6:30 p.m. second Monday of each month
Where: Andover Center for Advanced Professional Studies
How to watch: In person or online livestream. Meeting videos not archived.
Public comment policy: Speakers must register in advance and are limited to sections of the agenda labeled “Comments from the Public.” Time is limited to five minutes per speaker (30 minutes for all public comment), and the speaker must not reference student or school employee names, or identifiable groups of employees. The presiding board member may not allot more than 30 minutes for public comment. Groups of people with the same interest are asked to appoint a spokesperson. Board members are not to interact with speakers except to ask clarifying questions.
How to comment: Contact the board clerk by noon of the business day preceding the meeting and include a description of the topic of discussion or concern.
Clerk: Jamie Bohannon (bohannoj@usd385.org, 316-218-4660)
Agendas and minutes: Published on BoardDocs the Friday before each regular meeting.
Read more about the Andover Board of Education here.
Derby USD 260
Regular meetings: Generally 6:30 p.m. second and fourth Mondays of each month (board meets only once in December and June)
Where: Derby USD 260 Administrative Center
How to watch: In person or on Derby Channel 7 (government access channel and online streaming). Meeting video replayed throughout the week and archived on Channel 7’s webpage.
Public comment policy: The presiding board member asks the public to speak during the open forum portion of a meeting and may impose time limits. Groups of people with the same interest are asked to appoint a spokesperson. Comments are limited to five minutes. Board members are not to interact with speakers except to ask clarifying questions.
How to comment: Register by contacting the board clerk by noon the day of the meeting. Speakers must state their name, address and any organization they are representing.
Clerk: Litona Hoyt (lhoyt@usd260.com, 316-788-8410)
Agendas and minutes: Agendas published on Google Drive Thursdays prior to each Monday meeting. Notification of agenda distribution may be requested through the board clerk.
Read more about the Derby Board of Education here.
Goddard USD 265
Regular meetings: Generally 7 p.m. second Monday of each month
Where: Goddard USD 265 Administration Center
How to watch: In person (district does not broadcast or record meetings).
Public comment policy: No general public comment session. The superintendent receives requests to give remarks to the board and determines whether the issues can be resolved by district staff. If they cannot, the superintendent consults with the board president to determine whether to schedule an appearance before the board during a regular meeting, an appearance during a board executive session or referral of the issue to the appropriate administrator.
How to comment: District patrons must notify the superintendent by submitting Form GD-58, available at the superintendent’s office, six days prior to the meeting.
Clerk: Dane Baxa (danebaxa@goddardusd.com, 316-794-4000)
Agendas and minutes: Published on BoardDocs. Public may request notification of when each agenda is published at this link.
Read more about the Goddard Board of Education here.
Haysville USD 261
Regular meetings: 7 p.m. third Monday of each month, unless otherwise noted
Where: Haysville USD 261 Administration Building
How to watch: In person or on Haysville USD 261’s YouTube channel. Past meetings archived on YouTube channel.
Public comment policy: The presiding board member asks the public to speak during the open forum portion of a meeting and may impose time limits. Groups of people with the same interest are asked to appoint a spokesperson. Comments are limited to five minutes for scheduled district patrons, two minutes for district visitors. Board members are not to interact with speakers except to ask clarifying questions.
How to comment: Contact board clerk prior to meeting.
Clerk: Debbie Coleman (dcoleman@usd261.com, 316-554-2200)
Agenda and minutes: PDFs published on district website.
Read more about the Haysville Board of Education here.
Maize USD 266
Regular meetings: 7 p.m. second Monday of each month
Where: Maize Educational Support Center
How to watch: In person or on YouTube channel livestream. Meeting videos not archived.
Public comment policy: The presiding board member selects the time for public comment. Speakers are limited to four minutes.
How to comment: In-person speakers may register by submitting a written request to the board clerk before 7 p.m. Speakers may also comment virtually by submitting a written request to the board clerk at least two hours prior to a meeting. The clerk will provide instructions on how to join the meeting virtually. The public may also submit written comments (limited to two pages) to the board clerk at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. The clerk distributes those statements to board members by email and includes the comments in meeting minutes.
Clerk: Robin Brown (rbrown@usd266.com, 316-350-2002)
Agendas and minutes: Published on BoardDocs Fridays ahead of each meeting.
Read more about the Maize Board of Education here.
Valley Center USD 262
Regular meetings: 7 p.m. second Monday of each month
Where: Valley Center USD 262 District Office
How to watch: In person or on district YouTube channel livestream. Past meetings are not archived.
Public comment policy: The presiding board member selects the time for public comment and may impose time limits. Groups of people with the same interest are asked to appoint a spokesperson. Board members are not to interact with speakers except to ask clarifying questions.
How to comment: Submit written comments at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. In-person speakers may register by using the sign-up sheet at the meeting.
Clerk: Sara Haden (sara.haden@usd262.net, 316-755-7000)
Agendas and minutes: Published on BoardDocs Thursday prior to each meeting.
Read more about the Valley Center Board of Education here.
Wichita USD 259
Regular meetings: 6 p.m. Mondays once a month (time of month varies)
Where: Wichita North High School lecture hall.
How to watch: In person or on WPS-TV (Cox Cable channel 20 and online livestream). Meetings also replayed on WPS-TV and uploaded to the district’s YouTube page afterward.
Public comment policy: Up to 10 speakers may address the board on any matter under its jurisdiction during public communications near the beginning of a meeting, or they may speak on specific agenda items when they are discussed. Comments are limited to three minutes and must not involve confidential student or personnel matters. At special meetings, the public may only address the board on agenda items.
How to comment: Register by calling the board clerk by noon the day of the meeting, or in person 10 minutes before the start of the meeting. Speakers must identify the topic they wish to address.
Clerk: Patrick Greene (pgreene@usd259.net, 316-973-4553)
Agendas and minutes: PDFs published on the district’s website Thursday afternoons preceding the Monday meetings. Supporting agenda material requires user to open in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Read more about the Wichita Board of Education here.
