Changes To Public Comment Rules Being Considered By Westport Bd Of Ed

WESTPORT, CT — The Westport Board of Education is considering possibly changing how and when public comments are shared during meetings, the Westport News reported.

Discussion of possible changes reportedly came as a result of a recent meeting, in which the number of comments led to the board not being able to take up agenda items.

In recent months, the district has grappled with instances of alleged antisemitism and racism, which have dominated public comments.

Currently, public comments are allowed during board meetings under the following the guidelines:

• Comment on non-agenda topics will occur during the first 15 minutes except when staff or guest presentations are scheduled.
• Board will not engage in dialogue on non-agenda items.
• Public may speak as agenda topics come up for discussion or information.
• Speakers on non-agenda items are limited to 2 minutes each, except by prior arrangement with chair.
• Speakers on agenda items are limited to 3 minutes each, except by prior arrangement with chair.
• Comments may concern any subject within the Board's jurisdiction.
• The Board may modify these limitations at the beginning of a meeting if the number of persons wishing to speak makes it advisable to do so
• Speakers must give name and address, and use microphone.
• Per Board policy, speakers must be town residents, employees, or a parent/guardian of an enrolled student.
• Responses to questions may be deferred if answers not immediately available.
• Public comment is normally not invited for topics listed for action after having been publicly discussed at one or more meetings.

The consensus among board members appears to be not making any big changes to the public comment portion of the meetings, but discussions on the topic are continuing.

Read the Westport News story.