September 23, 2024 Following the Tax Hearing at 7pm - Board of Education Special Meeting

This meeting has been preceded by advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session.  A current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted on the West wall of the meeting room.

Notice of this meeting was given in advance by publication in the Cozad Local and posted on the Cozad Community Schools website and at the District Office, Cozad Post Office and Wilson Public Library.  Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education. The order of agenda items may be changed when deemed necessary.

The board may choose to enter closed (executive) session to discuss any matter for which closed (executive) session is lawful and appropriate.

The Board of Education invites you to offer comments during the public comments portion of the agenda. 

We have _________ speakers who have signed up to speak. We will allow ___ minutes per speaker for a total of _____ minutes. 

During the public comment portion of this meeting, those who have signed up need to be allowed to speak without interruption for the time allotted by the Board. We understand that people may have strong feelings about the issues they come to speak about. We ask that you respect the opinions of all who speak and that you refrain from applause, conduct that interferes with the Board meeting, or other outbursts during the presentations. Offensive language, vulgar personal attacks, or hostile conduct will not be tolerated. If the Board President determines any statement or comment constitutes offensive language, a vulgar personal attack, or hostile conduct, then the Board President will rule the person out of order, and the person forfeits any remaining time. You should be further advised that there is no legal protection for any comments that are made, including slanderous comments. Each person should choose their words carefully. 

The Board is not obligated to respond to public comments or questions because such dialogue could violate the Open Meetings Act. 

During the meeting, including during public comment, comments, outbursts, or interruptions from the audience will not be tolerated. After public comment, the Board will conduct its business. Remember that this is a public meeting, not a meeting of the public. Individuals wishing to speak must do so during public comment. Any attendee who chooses to interrupt Board business will be deemed out of order and may be asked to leave. Refusal to do so may result in removal. 

The board needs to be allowed to conduct our business in this public setting uninterrupted. Any questions or concerns that arise from this meeting can be addressed via phone or email to the administration or Board after the meeting has concluded. 

If the subject of your public comment is related to a particular student or staff member, we ask that you not mention the student or staff member by name in the public session. The Board has a complaint procedure in policy, and the Board will not respond to or consider any complaints unless and until and individual follows the complaint policy. 

As a reminder, under the Open Meetings Act, the Board of Education is legally obligated to require any member of the public desiring to address the Board to identify himself or herself, including an address and the name of any organization you may represent. As a result, please state and spell your first and last name, state your current address, and let us know if you are here representing any particular organization before you begin your public comment. 

It is now_____ p.m. Our first speaker_________

* Closed Session:  If, during the course of the meeting, discussion of any item on the agenda should be held in a closed meeting, the board will conduct a closed meeting in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Law.

**Sequence of Agenda:  The sequence of agenda topics is subject to change at the discretion of the board.  Please arrive at the beginning of the meeting.

***Action Item:  The board reserves the right to take action on any item on the board agenda.