Public Comments

Community members are invited to speak during the "Public Comments" portion of Board meetings.

Virtual public comments for the Board may be submitted via this Google Form to speak virtually (via Zoom) during a meeting. NOTE: virtual public comments must be submitted by noon the day of the Board meeting or they will be invited to speak at the following regular meeting.

The school board welcomes and values public comment on educational issues and recognizes the importance of the opportunity for members of the public to express their thoughts to the School Board. Comments must adhere to the following parameters during board meetings:

  • Virtual comments for the Board may be submitted via this Google Form to speak virtually (via Zoom) during a meeting. NOTE: virtual public comments must be submitted by noon the day of the Board meeting or they will be invited to speak at the following regular meeting.
     
  • In-person comments for the Board will submit the paper Public Comment Form request before the meeting begins. Paper copies will be available to fill out at each meeting. Printable forms: 

English Spanish

  • Individual comments must be less than 3 minutes in duration. Each speaker is limited to one speaking opportunity on a given subject during a single meeting.
     
  • Groups of staff or community members sharing the same opinion must ensure a presentation no longer than 5 minutes.

  • The Board does not respond to questions during the business meeting. Please know that the board’s silence is neutral. It is neither a signal of agreement nor disagreement with the speaker’s remarks. The president may interrupt or terminate an individual's statement when it is personally directed, abusive, obscene, irrelevant, targets a protected class, or exceeds the time limit. The board president has the final decision in determining the appropriateness of all such rulings. 

Public comment forms received after the meeting has started will be saved for the following meeting. 

Per Policy 4301, “It is the policy of the Monroe School District to promote mutual respect, civility and orderly conduct among District employees, parents and the public.” and “In the interest of providing positive role models to the children of this District, as well as the community, the Monroe School District encourages positive communication and discourages volatile, hostile or aggressive speech and/or actions. The District seeks the public’s cooperation in this endeavor.” 

We kindly ask that you refrain from comments that violate school district policy. 

When you log in to Zoom to join the meeting, please use the first and last name and email address you submitted on the online public comment form so we can identify you amongst the attendees when it is your turn to speak. During public comment, our Technology Director will move you from the list of attendees to join the School Board on screen. Once your comment is finished (or three minutes have passed) you will be moved back over to the attendees. If you have any questions, please contact Holly Kahler at kahlerh@monroe.wednet.edu or 360-804-2504.

School board members may not engage in direct conversation with public members during a meeting. If you would like an answer to a specific question, please let us know, and staff will be happy to contact you after the meeting.

  • Board meetings are audio recorded and video recorded in their entirety, including public comments.
  • Written comments may be sent to the School Board in care of the Monroe School District Administration Office, 14692 - 179th Avenue SE, Monroe, WA  98272.
  • Comments may also be sent by email to the entire Board or individual Board members.

MSD Non-Discrimination Statement
The Monroe School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

  • Title IX Coordinator, Compliance Coordinator for 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW: Dan Johnston, (360) 804.2530 or johnstond@monroe.wednet.edu
  • Section 504/ADA Coordinator: David Paratore, (360) 804.2609 or paratored@monroe.wednet.edu

For information regarding translation services or transitional bilingual education programs, contact: Chris Cronas, at (360) 804.2558, or cronasc@monroe.wednet.edu.