Purpose

The Novus SMART Academy (K–8) Board of Directors values community input and provides an opportunity for members of the public to address the Board during designated public comment periods at regular Board meetings. This policy establishes clear, fair, and consistent procedures to ensure public comments are conducted in an orderly, respectful, and efficient manner while allowing the Board to fulfill its governance responsibilities.

 

Public Comment Policy

1. Eligibility to Speak

   1. Public comment is limited to residents of Rutherford County, Tennessee.

   2. All speakers must submit a Public Comment Request Form at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the scheduled Board meeting.

   3. Speakers must attest that they are a Rutherford County, Tennessee resident at the time of submitting the Public Comment Request Form and again at the meeting for the official record.

   4. Only individuals who receive confirmation from Novus SMART Academy may be invited to speak.

2. Request and Confirmation Process

   1. The Public Comment Request Form is available on the Novus SMART Academy (K–8) website.

   2. Requests are reviewed by the Board Secretary to ensure compliance with this policy.

   3. Confirmation will be provided via email prior to the meeting.

   4. Submission of a request does not guarantee an opportunity to speak.

3. Recognition and Order of Speakers

   1. The Board Chair will recognize speakers in the order in which approved requests are received.

   2. Speakers will be asked to state their full legal name and address for the record when recognized.

4. Time Limits

   1. Each approved speaker will be allowed up to three (3) minutes to provide public comment.

   2. The Board Chair will set a three-minute timer and will ask speakers to conclude their remarks when time has expired.

   3. Speakers who exceed the allotted time will be asked to stop.

5. Scope of Comments

   1. Comments must be directed to the Board of Directors as a whole, not to individual Board members, staff, students, or members of the public.

   2. Comments must relate to:

      1. Novus SMART Academy (K–8), and/or

      2. Matters within the authority and responsibility of the Board of Directors.

   3. This portion of the meeting is intended for the Board to listen. The Board will not engage in dialogue, debate, or take action in response to comments during the public comment period.

6. Standards of Conduct

   1. All comments must remain respectful, appropriate, and non-disruptive.

   2. The following are not permitted:

      1. Profanity or vulgar language.

      2. Personal attacks, threats, or harassment.

      3. Comments that disclose confidential student or personnel information.

      4. Discriminatory or hateful language.

   3. The Board Chair may interrupt, warn, or terminate comments that violate this policy.

7. Removal and Enforcement

   1. Individuals who disrupt the meeting or refuse to comply with this policy may be asked to leave.

   2. Repeated violations may result in loss of future public comment privileges, as permitted by law.

 

Administration

This policy and form shall be reviewed periodically and may be revised by the Novus SMART Academy (K–8) Board of Directors to ensure alignment with applicable law, Board governance practices, and community needs.

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Click Here to Submit the Print/Submit the Public Comment Request Form