On March 23rd, the citizens will be asked to vote by secret ballot on the following question:
“Shall the Town of Alna’s school choice policy be amended so that after June 30, 2018, all Alna K-8 resident students will have the right to attend, at public expense, any public school of the parent’s choice at which the student is accepted, except that any child who is living in Alna as of June 30, 2018, and continues to live in Alna shall also continue to have the right, at public expense, to attend any public or approved private school of the parent’s choice at which the student is accepted?”
The purposes of this hearing are to:
1. Provide an opportunity for the sponsors to provide information in support of the question;
2. Provide an opportunity for members of the public to testify as to their view on the question;
3. Provide an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions of the Superintendent and Board Chair of RSU 12 concerning issues of implementation, should it pass locally.
The format will be as follows:
1. Introduction of Speaker and Moderator
2. Explanation of Procedure by Moderator
3. Presentation by speaker followed by a period for questions of the Speaker
4. Testimony from the Public
This is a hearing. It is not the place to debate the question. Therefore, for this meeting, the Moderator has stated that he will enforce the following rules:
• Those who wish to testify during the public comment period shall place their names on a signup sheet and indicate if they wish to speak for, against, or neither for nor against.
• Each speaker shall be given fi ve (5) minutes to speak, but a few extra seconds may be allowed to finish a sentence or thought. Speakers may offer written materials.
• Use of personal names is discouraged. Phrases like ‘the previous speaker’ or a person’s position or title is acceptable.
• When someone is speaking they shall not be interrupted and a respectful silence is to be maintained at all times. If someone feels it necessary to engage in a conversation they are to do it where it will neither interrupt the speaker nor interfere with the ability of people to hear.
(NOTE: State Law requires a public hearing no later than 10 days prior to a local referendum ballot question.)
