SF Board of Education Regular Meetings Put SFUSD Student Public Comment on the Agenda

San Francisco (January 25, 2021) -  The San Francisco Board of Education (BOE) has begun setting aside the beginning of general public comment for SFUSD students to provide public comment. 

“We understand the importance of ensuring people feel heard, and in our school district it starts with students. This is one of several ways to reach community members, district leadership and commissioners, but we want to have a dedicated time and space where youth feel welcomed.” said Board President Gabriela López.

“It’s important to prioritize hearing from our students, not only in Board meetings but any time they are giving feedback. Having this time is reassuring that you are being heard even if the commissioners aren’t able to respond to you,” said Kathya Correa, student delegate to the SF Board of Education. “Not many students recognize the potential and how important it is to share your voice. This is truly transformational because it not only shows how you can be civically engaged but also how you can make a difference in your school district.” 

Starting with the general SF Board of Education meeting on January 26, 2021, the SF BOE will hear first from SFUSD students who wish to speak on any matter. Students will have up to two minutes to speak unless otherwise indicated –– up to 15 minutes of the general public comment period will be set aside for SFUSD students. Students may also speak at any other public comment time. 

The new agenda item adds to other ways SFUSD has prioritized student voice and leadership on districtwide matters. The SF Board of Education has two student delegates whose voices provide a student perspective on policy matters for the SF Board of Education. Student delegates are elected city-wide by their peers and hold leadership positions on the Student Advisory Council (SAC). Established in 1961, the SFUSD Student Advisory Council is a citywide, youth-led organization that is committed to providing a voice for the students of SFUSD by representing and presenting the interests of the students to the administrative and policy making bodies of the District. 

About Public Comment at the SF Board of Education 

Members of the public may address the Board on any matter that is not on the agenda but is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board. Board Rules and California law do not ​allow Board members to discuss comments or attempt to answer questions during the public comment time. If appropriate, the Superintendent will ask that staff follow up with speakers.

To Make Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items (for Regular Board meetings only):

The Board President will introduce the allotted period of time for Public Comments, organize the comments, and staff indicate who will be speaking next.

• To comment by video conference, click on the Participants button at the bottom of your screen and select the “Raise Your Hand” button to request to speak when Public Comment is being asked for. When called upon, you will be unmuted. After the allotted time, you will then be re-muted.

• To comment by phone, you will be prompted to “Raise Your Hand” by pressing “*9” to request to speak when Public Comment is asked for. When called upon, you will be unmuted. After the allotted time, you will then be re-muted. Get instructions on how to raise your hand by phone.

To Make Public Comment on Agenda Items

The Board President or Chair will introduce the item and call for speakers, and staff indicate who will be speaking next.

How to Access Remote SF Board of Education Meetings 

Observe Meetings: To observe the January 26th Regular Board meeting by video conference, please click here at the noticed meeting time. Webinar Password: 458078. It may help to download the Zoom app before the meeting if you don’t have it already. Instructions on how to join a meeting by video conference are available at: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193 -Joining-a-Meeting.

Listen to Meetings By Phone: To listen to the meeting by phone, please call at the noticed meeting time (669) 900 9128, then enter Webinar ID: 848 6689 2602, then press “#”. Password: 458078. If asked for a participant id or code, press #. Instructions on how to join a meeting by phone are available at: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362663 -Joining-a-meeting-by-phone.

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