Public comment is back at JCPS school board meetings. Here's what to know

Olivia Krauth, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — At last, public comment is back at Jefferson County school board meetings.

Kentucky's largest school district temporarily halted the public comment portion of its meetings in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions. Comments instead were received by email and posted alongside meeting minutes.

In-person public comment periods briefly rejoined JCPS board agendas in July 2021 only to be cut again after a shouting match in the audience forced an October meeting to abruptly adjourn.

Now, JCPS has started to allow public speakers again, this time with new rules in place.

Jim Hearn, Jefferson County Public Schools security coordinator, and JCPS Security Chief Stanford Mullen tell a protester she will have to leave the Jefferson County Board of Education meeting after repeatedly shouting to be heard during a part of the meeting not open to public discussion. June 22, 2021
Jim Hearn, Jefferson County Public Schools security coordinator, and JCPS Security Chief Stanford Mullen tell a protester she will have to leave the Jefferson County Board of Education meeting after repeatedly shouting to be heard during a part of the meeting not open to public discussion. June 22, 2021

Here's what to know about the public comment segment:

Who can speak?

Anyone can sign up.

Each speaker gets three minutes to address the board, and they can talk about nearly anything. Specific personnel complaints are off-limits, according to board policy, as are "defamatory or abusive remarks."

The board chair has the authority to cut off a speaker's remarks.

While anyone can address the board, only those signed up to speak about an action item on the board's agenda get to speak toward the beginning of the meeting.

On top of that, active JCPS students are placed at the front of the line.

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How does someone sign up to speak?

People can sign up to speak in person before the meeting.

They can also register ahead of the meeting by calling the board's secretary at (502) 485-3342, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

How long is public comment?

JCPS board policy limits the first round of public comments to 45 minutes — about 15 people.

People who want to talk about action items on the board's agenda get to go first.

The initial comments come early in the meeting, typically after student recognitions and the superintendent's update to the board.

Any remaining comments are heard at the end of the meeting after the board conducts its business.

More: After pandemic, what is next for Jefferson County Public Schools? Marty Pollio weighs in

Where are JCPS school board meetings?

Typically, school board meetings are held at the VanHoose Education Center at 3332 Newburg Road.

Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth. 

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: How to speak at a JCPS school board meeting: Public comment is back