Members of the public who wish to provide input at the School Board of Alachua County (SBAC) meetings will have new rules to follow, starting with Tuesday’s meeting. 

The SBAC approved the second reading of a new public comment policy at its July 31 meeting. Board members and the public were reminded of the new policy during a nearly three-hour workshop on Wednesday. 

Under the new public participation protocols, citizens will share their comments near the start of each meeting.  

According to an Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) press release, commentators will be able to address both agenda and non-agenda items during the public comment sessions, which will take place a short time after each meeting is called to order. 

There will be two separate public comment periods during regular board meetings.  

According to the school district’s website, the first public comment session will be for general remarks about issues not on the agenda. The second comment period will be for items on the agenda. 

It should be noted that the entire Consent Agenda is considered one item.  

Citizens who wish to address the board will need to complete a Speaker Request Form. The form can be filled out and submitted online 24 hours prior to the meeting. 

For Tuesday’s meeting, the form will be available to the public by 6 p.m. on Monday.  

Paper forms will also be present in the District Office Boardroom 30 minutes before the meeting. 

According to the release, all Speaker Request forms, whether completed online or in person, should be turned in prior to the start of the meeting.  

More information about the public comment rules, as well as a link to the online Speaker Request Form, can be found at www.alachuaschools.net/o/acps/page/publiccomment.  

Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.