• Public Involvement

    The Portland Public Schools Board of Education highly values public input in making important decisions that affect Portland's children.  They also believe in the right of community members to observe Board meetings. 

    The public is invited to attend public Board meetings to gain a better understanding of school district business and the role of the School Board.  The public is also invited to address the Board during the public comment portion of the Board meetings.

     

    General Public Meeting Guidelines

    To ensure the public has an opportunity to attend School Board meetings and offer comment, and to ensure that the Board can conduct the important business of the District, speakers must observe certain basic rules of conduct.  The following guidelines apply to all public comment.

    • All members of the public attending School Board meetings should treat each other and the Board with respect.
    • Individuals are not permitted to engage in conduct that interferes with the ability of other individuals to watch the Board meetings or offer public comment to the Board, or with the ability of the Board to conduct its business.
    • Those wishing to display placards, signs and/or banners may remain seated in the Boardroom with signs held below chin level so as to not block any attendee's view of the proceedings. 
    • Public meetings are open for the public to attend in person up to the capacity of the Boardroom (70 people) and will be streamed live under the provision of ORS 192.670 at: https://www.youtube.com/@ppsboardofeducation/live

     

    Signing up for Public Comment

    Requests to provide public comment can be made via email to publiccomment@pps.net or by calling the Board Office at 503-916-3741. Requests should include:

    • Full name
    • Pronouns
    • Topic (required)
    • Date requested
    • School community
    • Phone number and whether text communication is okay
    • Whether you are a student
    • Whether you plan to attend in person or virtually

    Requests must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Walk-up requests are accepted, if space permits, during the fifteen minutes prior to the meeting and must be received before the meeting begins.

    If an interpreter is needed, please notify the Board Office at least 48 hours in advance.

     

    Written Comment

    Written public comments can be emailed to publiccomment@pps.net and will be shared with the Board and Student Representative.  

     

    Comment on a Policy

     

    Guidelines for Public Comment

    • Public comment is an opportunity for the Board and Superintendent to hear issues of interest; however, it does not allow for dialogue between speakers, the Board, or the Superintendent.
    • It is requested that individuals offering public comment not make personal attacks on any District employee, Board member, other testifier, or member of the public. Complaints about individual employees should be directed to the Superintendent’s office as a personnel matter.
    • For follow-up on issues raised during public comment, please contact Board Manager Rosanne Powell (rpowell@pps.net)
    • All spots for public comment are allocated in the order they are received, unless otherwise indicated.
    • Spots may not be shared or transferred to others.
    • Videos or PowerPoint presentations may not accompany public testimony. 
    • Public Comment may be provided in person or virtually.
    • Comment on a specific Board Action Item will take place during that agenda item. If the action item is canceled, postponed, or withdrawn, comment will be subject to availability of general public comment.

     

    Providing Comment at a Meeting

    • The Board Clerk will announce the names of speakers, calling up to four people at a time.  Each person should make their way to the table at the front and must speak into the microphone.
    • Speakers must state and spell their last name before beginning.
    • At a Regular Meeting, speakers will have up to three minutes and thirty seconds to provide comment.
      • A green light will appear during the first two minutes of testimony, a yellow light will indicate one minute remaining, and a red light with a buzzer will signal that the speaker has 30 seconds to conclude.
    • At a Committee Meeting, speakers will have up to two minutes.
      • A green light will appear during the first minute of testimony, a yellow light will indicate one minute remaining, and a red light with a buzzer will signal to promptly wrap up comments.
    • Written copies of comments or any supporting documents may be submitted the Board Clerk at the meeting (provide 12 printed copies) or emailed to publiccomment@pps.net.

     

    The Board appreciates your input and thanks you for your cooperation.