2. A successful school system requires an involved and supportive community that provides comments on matters of interest or concern that will serve to improve the school system.

3. The Board of Education has returned to in-person business meetings with appropriate physical distancing and the wearing of masks and encourages the community to offer in-person public comment concerning matters relating to Washington County Public Schools.

4. The Board of Education will allow up to six (6) individuals to offer in-person public comment at its regular business meetings beginning October 6, 2020.

5. Sign-ups will be accepted on a first-come basis between 8:00 a.m. on the Friday prior to the regular business meeting and 4:30 p.m. on the Monday preceding the regular business meeting. For example, interested speakers may begin signing up on Friday, October 2 for the October 6 business meeting.

6. Individuals wishing to provide in-person public comment are required to sign up by calling Debra A. Cechovic, Secretary to the Washington County Board of Education at 301-766-2971. Callers must leave a message with their name and a callback phone number.

7. A waiting list for in-person comment at future business meetings will not be maintained.

8. To ensure varied participation, persons who have participated in public comment in either of the two most recent business meetings are ineligible to give in-person public comment at that weeks’ business meeting except if less than six (6) individuals have signed up to speak by 4:30 p.m. on the Monday preceding the regular business meeting.

9. Each speaker may speak for up to five (5) minutes.

10. Speakers should introduce themselves, identity whether they are speaking as individuals or on behalf of an organization, and may provide a copy of their comments for future consideration by the Board members.

11. Speakers may address any topic concerning Washington County Public Schools, except personnel or student matters that clearly identify an individual or individuals.