Point of Privilege

[Guest kfitzgerald]

Due to contentious issues, our Board of Education meetings have become very crowded. A very vocal group of attendees disrupts the ability of the audience to hear the Boards discussion. Would it be appropriate for a "Point of privilege" to be called to address the noise from the audience? Who would be the appropriate person to call for a point of privilege?

[jstackpo]

Any member of the board could raise the "question of privilege" (RONR, p. 224), then if granted, move that the obstreperous guests be admonished or removed (if the latter doesn't go against some sunshine or open meeting law) from the meeting. (p. 644).

[Chris Harrison]

If this group of attendees are not members of the Board the Chair can order those disorderly nonmembers removed from the room (subject to an Appeal by a Board member) [RONR pp. 648-649] or a Board member can bring the Chair's attention to the matter if needed. However, since this is a Board of Education there very well may be applicable laws in place (such as any Sunshine laws) which would have something to say on what extra rights nonmembers have so I would suggest you contact a lawyer who is familiar with any laws applicable to the BOE. If thise attendees are members of the Board then the Board would need to deal with their own using the procedures on RONR pp. 645-648.

[Guest dbFVh]

Thank you for your responses; I now have a very good understanding of "point of privilege".

[Gary Novosielski]

Thank you for your responses; I now have a very good understanding of "point of privilege".

...except for what it's called.

[Guest VtX4DK]

Thank you for the clarification specifying question rather than point.