DeSoto ISD TEA-Mandated Public Hearing Rules of Engagement
The DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees and administration invite the school community to participate in the Monday, September 28, 2020, Public Hearing regarding the Board and Administration Corrective Action Plans mandated by the Texas Education Agency, following the published findings of the district’s recent TEA investigation.
While all who have pre-registered will be permitted to share comments in a live-streamed, virtual forum, the district would like to inform the public of the rules of engagement for this meeting.
As a reminder, those interested in speaking during the Public Hearing MUST pre-register to speak. Pre-registration will close at 4:30 PM on Monday, September 28, 2020-- two hours prior to the start of the Public Hearing
Those who pre-register will receive access information to enter the district’s Zoom video-conferencing platform. Upon entry into the Zoom platform, pre-registrants will be placed in a virtual waiting room until scheduled to speak.
Pre-registrants placed in the virtual waiting room will not have access to view the public hearing while in the virtual waiting room and will need to watch the live-stream online at http://desotoisdtx.swagit.com/live on a separate device.
Those who pre-register to speak MUST display his or her camera while speaking and must display his or her name while actively participating and ensure that your background or area is not disruptive to the meeting format.
When addressing the audience during the public forum, speakers’ commentary must adhere to the following:
Everyone must model courtesy and respect. Speakers shall not employ profane or threatening language nor shall they engage in any personal attacks.
The public has the right to make critical remarks. However, the expectation is that the message delivered by the speaker is done so in a constructive manner with a collaborative purpose. Speakers are expected to respect both the decorum of the public meeting, the authority of the Board and the district administration.
Comments and requests that include derogatory or inflammatory statements and personal attacks on individuals should be avoided.
Members of the public do not have the right to disrupt the meeting. Speakers whose behavior disrupts the conduct of the public meeting or threatens public safety are subject to immediate removal from the meeting.
Speakers shall not use their commentary in an attempt to interrogate board members nor to force the body or any attendees to engage in debate. Any questions presented will be answered in an FAQ following the meeting.
Speakers’ comments must be focused on the posted agenda item only: The TEA-Mandated Corrective Action Plans to address the issues in the TEA Findings.
Corrective Action Plans Summary
The Corrective Actions Plans share insight into the actions and constraints of the Board and the Administration in relation to the work of the district as governing bodies The discussion points will center around what is working and not working, objectives and progress measures, and monitoring.
Speakers may not address complaints nor past nor present issues dealing with personnel experiences relative to specific individuals currently or formerly employed by the DeSoto ISD or who currently or formerly served on the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees. The District has a separate protocol for such matters.
Speakers who do not adhere to the above criteria for allowable topics for public commentary will be issued a warning and a reminder to remain on topic. Those who choose to violate these rules of engagement will be muted and subject to removal from the public hearing.
If a person wishes to speak but did not pre-register, he or she may submit a comment here to be read aloud at the conclusion of the live-streamed public hearing prior to its adjournment.
For questions or assistance during the live-streamed, virtual public forum, please direct an email to [email protected] for support.