Rules for Public Comment

Although not required by law, the Port Jervis Board of Education believes that public comment is a vital component of good government.  The Board therefore encourages the public to share their opinions, voice their concerns, and offer suggestions in a constructive atmosphere that will help us to better serve the District.

Accordingly, time has been designated at the beginning of each meeting for the privilege of public comment.

To ensure that meetings are conducted in an orderly and efficient manner and to ensure that each member of the public who wishes to speak has a fair and equal opportunity to do so, the following rules have been established for public comment at our Board of Education meetings:

  1. Individuals wishing to speak during Public Comment must sign up on the required form with the Board Clerk before the meeting begins and indicate the specific topic they wish to discuss.
  2. Speakers will address their comments to the Board President or the Superintendent.
  3. The privilege of Public Comment is limited to enrolled students and their parents, residents, taxpayers and employees of the Port Jervis City School District.
  4. Speakers must restrict their comments to no more than five minutes.  The Board President may, at his or her discretion, extend or shorten the time limits as appropriate.
  5. Speakers may NOT discuss in Public Comment certain topics such as the following:
  • Particular employees or students
  • Health or medical issues
  • Discipline, hiring or firing of an individual
  • Labor negotiations
  • Litigation

Please note that Public Comment is the public’s opportunity to present concerns to the Board for its further consideration.  It is not a time when the Board can answer questions or engage in dialogue with the speaker(s), nor is it an adequate format in which to provide a complete and fair airing of important and complex matters.   To discuss issues at length or to ask questions, member of the public are urged to contact the District Superintendent at any time:

Dr. John J. Bell, Superintendent
Port Jervis City School District
150 Pike Street
Port Jervis, NY  12771
(845)858-3100, ext. 5510
jbell@pjschools.org