Attend a Meeting

School Board meetings begin at 6:00pm and are held in the 4th Floor Auditorium at the Central Administration Building at 601 South 8th Street in Tacoma, unless otherwise posted (Get directions). All regular board business meetings and study session meetings are public, and everyone is encouraged to attend. Executive sessions are closed to the public. Public parking and the main entrance are located on the west side of the building at South G Street.

 

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

School board members encourage public participation. Your civil input is appreciated. Comments should relate to items of public interest within the Board's jurisdiction. Board members will not normally respond directly to the comments, but speakers are assured that their comments are very important and will be addressed in a different forum. This is not meant to be a debating period. The Superintendent or a designee will follow-up with you after the meeting if action is needed. Instead of speaking at a meeting, you may also send an email to the board at board@tacoma.k12.wa.us.

Under Board Policy 1430 - Public Comment, the Board President may terminate an individual's comments when the allotted time has passed and may interrupt a speaker to require the same standard of civility that the Board imposes on itself. Examples of uncivil comments include comments that:

  • Are libelous or slanderous under a legal standard;
  • Are an unwarranted invasion of privacy; 
  • Are obscene or indecent pursuant to the Federal Communications Act or any rule or regulation of the Federal Communications Commission; 
  • Violate school district policy or procedure related to harassment, intimidation, bullying, or discrimination;
  • Incite an unlawful act on school premises or violate a lawful school regulation; or
  • Create a material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the Board meeting.

The Board as a whole has the final decision in determining the appropriateness of all such rulings and can maintain order by removing those who are disruptive. However, the Board recognizes the distinction between uncivil discourse, which it will not tolerate, and comments about the Board, district, and/or staff that are negative yet still civil in nature. The Board will exercise its authority to maintain order in a content neutral manner. 

Option 1: Verbal Comment:

For verbal comment, submit a "Citizens' Request to Speak" card prior to the start of the Board meeting. 

PLEASE NOTE: The Board Assistant will stop taking "Citizen's Request to Speak" cards for the current meeting once the public comment period has begun. 

The Superintendent or designee will call your name when it is your turn to address the Board. Speakers may be grouped based upon the subject matter. When addressing the Board, please state your name at the podium. 

  • You will have up to three (3) minutes to share your verbal comment.
  • If there are more than ten (10) requests for verbal comment, the Board President has discretion to restrict the time or number of speakers based upon the agenda.
  • Additional time may be granted for accommodation (e.g., disability, language). If you need an accommodation in order to make a public comment, please see the Board Secretary.

Option 2: Written Comment:

Prepare a written statement that will be attached to the board agenda and meeting minutes.

  • Because this will be a public document, it is recommended that you prepare the statement in a separate document using an application such as Microsoft Word. At the top of the document, please identify yourself and the subject matter (a title) for your statement. Please do not include your phone number, address or email address unless you want that personal identifying information included in the public record.
  • Submit your written statement via email to the school board secretary 24-hours prior to the start of the meeting. Statements submitted after the deadline will not be considered at this session.
  • Statements should be emailed to board@tacoma.k12.wa.us. Please specify in your email that your letter is "For Public Comment."
  • Typically, the board allows up to three (3) minutes for you to share verbal comments. A three (3) minute verbal statement converts to approximately 300-500 words or up to 2 pages double-spaced. Please limit your written statement to this guideline.
  • During the meeting, the General Counsel will read into the record your name and the subject matter (title) of your statement. They will not read your statement aloud during the meeting. However, your statement will be linked to the agenda so that members of the public will be able to read your statement.
  • Members of the board will also review your written statement.