School Board Debates Public's Right to Talk

The talk about how to let the public talk at meetings still has members of the tongue tied.

The school board Monday night discussed the second reading of a policy on at meetings yet will seek more changes and input before a third reading and vote will be taken because some board members disagreed on the best way to proceed.

Solicitor Gary A. Brieza reviewed the policy and told the board that it does not violate any state laws and allows for "reasonable regulation" on public comment in terms of a time limit, topic and who can speak.

"You could also limit it to residents or taxpayers only speaking," he said.

While board president Lorin Bradley said the proposed policy revision's "intent is not to restrict public communication and participation, this is from best practices feedback."

District policy does not currently place time limits on public participation. Superintendent said he reviewed other policies across the state and found that they limit speakers to three to five minutes.

He suggested that another way to bolster communication between the public and the school board would be placing an email address on the school website for people who can't come to the meetings to comment.

Board member Darrell Crook wondered whether the board could only use the time limit for "hot topic" issues.

He also stated the board should be more considerate of the public.

"We want to restrict the public, but we come in here and start the meeting whenever we want to," Crook said.

For example, he said, Monday's meeting started a half hour late.

Board member Thomas Maher agreed.

"The board has the responsibility to conduct business in an efficient manner," he said. "We need to use this policy very judiciously. I don't think we're that big of a school district where we need to institute these controls."

The board agreed for members and the public to offer input to Bradley and Lesky. The two will form a committee with Crook and review and make changes to the policy before the third reading.

Board member Jerry Treon said he believed three minutes would be the right amount of time for people to speak.

Vice president Maurice Heller said the board might allot more time for bigger issues and even hold a special meeting at another venue if needed.

The public can provide input to the superintendent's office until Nov. 7.

"We need to make this policy as right as we can get it," Maher said.