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How to speak at a Lake County School Board meeting
The Lake County School Board takes public comment at its regular meetings. This guide tells you the rules, where to get information, and how to prepare your statement.
Before you go
Regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 6:00 p.m. The schedule is fixed each year at the organizational meeting (Bylaw 0165). Check the current dates on the agendas and minutes page.
Meetings are held in the Commission Chambers at the Lake County Administration Building, 315 W. Main Street, Tavares. Notices are posted at least two days before each meeting on the legal advertisement page.
The Board accepts comment only on items it will vote on. The policy excludes quasi-judicial matters, emergencies, and ministerial acts such as minutes and proclamations (Bylaw 0169.1).
At the meeting
Arrive early and fill out the public input card at the entrance to the meeting room. Hand the card to the clerk before the meeting begins. You will indicate support, opposition, or neutrality on the proposition (Bylaw 0169.1).
Public Input is agenda item 5 and comes before the business items. The presiding officer may take comment on a specific item immediately before that item instead.
Each speaker has three minutes. The entire public input period is limited to 30 minutes unless extended. If you signed up but the time ran out, you may speak at the end of the meeting.
When you speak:
- State your name, address, and group affiliation when recognized
- Address the presiding officer, not individual board members
- Keep your statement relevant to the item
Groups are encouraged to send one representative. The Board does not take action on requests for public discussion unless declared an emergency. Items the Board wants to act on go on a later agenda.
Afterwards
Agendas and audio recordings are available on BoardDocs. Minutes are posted once approved as Google Docs linked from the agendas page.
Meetings in the Commission Chambers stream through the county's board meetings page. Meetings at the District Office stream on the district's YouTube channel.
For accessibility accommodations, contact the Risk Management Department at 201 W. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, or call 352-253-6660 at least 7 days before the meeting.