MICS Board

The agenda of every regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting will include a designated time for public comment by those in attendance.  Individuals may address the Board on any subject that falls within the purview of Mountain Island Charter School (MICS); provided that speakers (i) may only address the board with their comments (and not other attendees) and (ii) may not speak specifically about any individual teacher, staff member or board member or engage in personal attacks.  The agenda placement for public comment will be at the discretion of the Board Chair.  A maximum of seven individuals will be allowed to speak.  Each speaker will be allowed a maximum of three minutes to speak. Each individual wishing to speak must sign up at least 24 hours in advance of the board meeting by submitting their name, organization (if applicable) and topic to be discussed in an email addressed to the Board Secretary ([email protected]).    If a speaker desires to provide materials to the Board such materials must be provided to the Board Secretary ([email protected]) at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Distribution of materials by speakers at a Board meeting will not be permitted.  Speakers will be assigned spots on a first come, first served basis. In the event fewer than 7 speakers are registered, the board chair may allow unregistered speakers to provide comment at the board meeting in his or her sole discretion and subject to the other requirements set forth in this policy.

Members of the Board are free to ask questions of, and respond to, speakers; however, members are not required to respond or directly address speaker comments.  Communication should be respectful and in a conversational tone at all times.  Sharing or granting speaking time to others is not permitted.  Speakers and attendees are welcome to be present for the entire board meeting; however, they may not participate or comment. 

The Board of Directors complies with the NC Open Meetings Law (NC Statutes Article 33C). Details on this law can be found at this link: http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_143/Article_33C.html

The Open Meeting Law allows public comments at Board meetings at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The law specifically states that there are specific protocols that should be followed. The following North Carolina General Statute, N.C.G.S. § 143-318.17, addresses the consequences for individuals who do not adhere to public meeting protocol: “A person who willfully interrupts, disturbs, or disrupts an official meeting and who, upon being directed

to leave the meeting by the presiding officer, willfully refuses to leave the meeting is

guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.” (1979, c.655, s.1; 1993, c.539, s.1028; 1994, Ex. Sess., c.24, s.14(c).)