Protocols for Public Hearings

Order of Events for Each Hearing:

1. The hearing officer will call the hearing to order, open the meeting, and provide information about the hearing, including guidelines for testimony
2. A Nebraska Department of Education staff member will describe and explain the proposed revision or repeal
3. Citizen testimony will follow
4. The Department staff person will have the opportunity to respond to any testimony
5. The hearing officer will close the hearing

Guidelines for Testimony:  Each person presenting written or oral testimony is requested to:

1. State and spell you first and last name and provide a general indication of where you live (city, county, or school district)
2. State a concise suggestion or recommendation of what action you would like the Board to take
3. State the rationale or reason for your recommendation
4. You may reinforce, but please refrain from repeating, previous testimony
5. Each person testifying will be limited to five minutes. If additional time is needed, it may be provided at the discretion of the hearing officer
6. The testimony presented will be recorded and made available to the State Board of Education and the public at www.education.ne.gov/legal/rule-hearings prior to the time the State Board considers the adoption of the rule
7. All written testimony must be received by email prior to 5:00 p.m. the day of the hearing or be postmarked with a date that is no later than the day of the hearing in order to be made a part of the record of the hearing.  Written testimony, comments, materials, and documents may be submitted by email to nde.rulehearing@nebraska.gov or by U.S. mail to:  Nebraska Department of Education, Attn: Rules and Regulations, P.O. Box 94987, Lincoln, NE  68509-4987