My name is Alex Starr and I represent the League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City. Today, I am speaking about parliamentary procedure and the importance of following specific procedures in conducting a public meeting.

The constituents of this College District watched your meeting last week and were stunned by the lack of decorum and civil discourse in the proceedings. In an orderly meeting, public comments are linked to agenda items or the public can address non agenda items in the time assigned in the agenda. When members of the public have completed their testimony, the time for public comment is closed by the chair. The Board usually decides on a time limit for each speaker depending on the number of requests to speak that have been submitted. Currently your board policy assigns 5 minutes to each speaker. Your policy also states that, "Each speaker coming before the Board is limited to one presentation per specific agenda item before the Board, and to one presentation per meeting on non-agenda matters." (Section 2350 Speakers)

After all speakers have completed their testimony the time for public input is over. The Board then conducts their discussion of the agenda item taking into account the public's input. Unruly behavior in the audience is not allowed, and it is the chair's duty to maintain decorum. Anyone who cannot abide by this rule may be are asked to leave. The board may not address the speakers if presentations are made by members of the public during the period allotted for non agenda items.

There were other important items on your agenda that evening. Due to inappropriate handling of the agenda, time was not given to discuss them.

The League is particularly interested in the funding for the Student Services Building and how the situation will be handled. We hope that today's meeting will be orderly so that the board can address all items on the agenda. The public expects that from all elected officials.