DC PCSB has unveiled a new and improved public comment page that makes it easier and more efficient to submit comments and testify before the Board. This new page aims to increase public awareness of and participation in our public comment process, which aligns with our Strategic Roadmap Priority of Enduring Partnerships.
Each month, DC PCSB’s Board holds meetings to obtain public feedback on things such as creating or revising Board policies and requests from public charter schools to amend their charter agreements, etc. We welcome community members to voice their opinions on these matters either by submitting written comment, leaving a voicemail message (which will be transcribed) or speaking during a public hearing. These are all taken into consideration when the Board makes its final decision on these topics.
How have we improved this process?
With our enhanced public comment process, during DC PCSB monthly Board Meetings, community members will continue to have a maximum of two minutes to speak about an item on the agenda. Public officials will have a maximum of five minutes. What is new is that DC PCSB will now allow space for the public to testify on topics that are not on the board meeting agenda at the beginning of the meetings for up to 10 mins.
And in accordance with our Community Compliant Policy, any public comment “pertaining to such topics as academics, bullying, discipline, enrollment, health and safety, special education, transportation, uniforms, and other issues that [a] school has not addressed” may be treated as a formal complaint by DC PCSB staff.
To submit a comment, click here. There, you will fill out information and include the comment you desire to share. You will also have various methods in which you can submit the comment, including submitting a voice message (which can be up to five minutes and will be transcribed and made available to the General Public Comment folder).
Public comments will continue to be accepted on Board meeting topics until noon the day of the Board meeting.
With our enhanced public comment webpage, DC PCSB diligently aims to improve the integrity of our meetings and decision-making process by involving the community in the process.