The Fulton Public Schools Board of Education voted Wednesday, during a special session, to modify its public comment policy.
Policy BDDH became a point of discussion when Amanda Murdie, a mother of two children in the district, raised concerns over it during the board's February meeting. Prior to that meeting, Murdie requested to put herself on the agenda - an action she said at the time that she wouldn't have had to take if the board allowed time for public comments during meetings.
Superintendent Jacque Cowherd said the revised policy provides clarity to the district's commenting process.
The policy reads as follows:
A specifically designated time will be set aside for public comments at regular meetings of the Fulton 58 Board of Education. The following rules will be applied to the public comment portion of the meeting:
• If needed, time will be allotted to residents of the Fulton 58 School District and staff at the beginning of all regular meetings of the board of education.
• Patrons may address the board on items of school business from the posted agenda.
• Comments regarding individual personnel or individual students are not permitted in a public meeting.
• Participation in public comment requires the speaker to notify the superintendent's administrative assistant by 4 p.m. on the board meeting date. Notification may be by phone, 590-8000, or email [email protected]. Patrons will provide name, address and agenda item to be discussed for purposes of accurate recording in the board of education minutes.
• Limit remarks to three minutes and to one appearance, allowing a maximum number of participants to express their opinions.
According to the policy, people wishing to speak about a topic not covered in the agenda must have themselves placed on the agenda six business days before the scheduled meeting. Regarding agenda items, the policy further states: "The board reserves the right to impose reasonable restrictions on the number of items to be considered, the number of spokespersons and the speaking time of spokespersons appearing before the board. If the meeting agenda is full, the board reserves the right to reschedule an item for the next regular meeting. The board may refuse to address an issue that has not gone through the appropriate grievance procedure. The board reserves the right to waive formalities in emergency situations, within the limitations of the law."