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Originally Posted by Beth Sweet
Billfred,
If you're posing this to the initial poster, there are 2 things that may inhibit that. #1, they go to a private school. Private schools have all-around different rules. #2, they're from Canada. Once again, Canada has different rules, though typically they are very similar.
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Beth, he's posting with regard to 1610's question; they had similar issues to the team from Canada, but they're from Franklin, Virginia.
Speaking of which, members of 1610 should take a look at
this link, and especially
Section B. I believe that covers in adequate detail what needs to be done to be heard before the Franklin school board. Specifically, see sections BBBB and BDDH for opportunities for student participation. Per section BDDH, "[a]ny citizen may address the Board at any regular meeting", if proper prior notice is given; additionally (as a separate right afforded you by these bylaws), if a student (or certain others) wishes to make a presentation for 5 minutes during the "citizens' time" portion of the meeting, he needs only to notify the clerk before 7:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting. (Note that the closed portions of meetings are handled differently, but that shouldn't be an issue for you, because you aren't discussing confidential information.) Per section BDDG, the minutes of every meeting are kept, and available for a nominal copy charge, during business hours to any Virginia citizen, at the school board office. They're also required to submit to a FOIA request, if things
really get out of hand.
So, with a copy of that document in hand, get the team together to make a full-fledged presentation (not the 5-minute citizens' time, if you can help it); be organized, and make your appointment well in advance. Billfred was right—you're entitled to participate in the administration of your education system. I don't know who told you that you're only allowed to write letters to the board, but you should probably have a word with them about that misconception.
Also, be nice to them; they observe Robert's (Revised) Rules of Order, and will expect that you conduct yourselves accordingly. Just give them the facts, in a nice, sincere presentation, and then hope that they see past the money problems....