Parkway Sets March 15 Town Hall on Athletic Conference Affiliation

Parkway Schools will hold a town hall Board of Education meeting on Sunday, March 15th at 6 p.m. in the auditorium to discuss athletic conference affiliation.

Superintendent Laura Young said the meeting is meant to give community members another opportunity to share their thoughts with the Board of Education as the district continues the conversation.

Young said anyone who wants to speak at the meeting must email the superintendent by Thursday, March 12th at 8 a.m. She said that deadline also applies to anyone who cannot attend in person but still wants to submit a written statement for consideration.

According to information released by the district, the first 40 people who sign up will be allowed to speak at the meeting. After 40 people have signed up, any additional comments will need to be submitted in writing to the board by email.

The district said submitted statements from people who cannot attend will still count toward the 40 speaker maximum and will be read by the moderator.

Parkway’s posted guidelines say speakers will come to the podium in the order they signed up and will be listed on the agenda. Each speaker will have three minutes to address the Board of Education, with a visual timer available on the tables with the board. Speakers are also expected to address the board directly and not other attendees.

The district is also outlining expectations for audience behavior. Attendees are asked to listen without interrupting speakers. Personal attacks are not allowed, and any speaker making personal attacks will be asked to stop and be seated. Applause is discouraged, outbursts are prohibited, and each speaker will have only one opportunity to speak.

District guidelines also state that if there is a disruption involving arguing, personal attacks, or yelling, there will first be a calm reminder of the rules, followed by a warning and then removal from the event if necessary. Officials noted that time may be paused if a disruption comes from the audience rather than the speaker.

Young said the district has already used a survey to gather input, but the town hall is intended to provide another way for people to share their feelings and facts about athletic conference affiliation.