Nicole Wheeldon
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. is considering changes to how it conducts public comment and other aspects of school board meetings.
Board member Todd Grimes, who chairs the board agenda subcommittee, presented a first reading of the group’s recommendations at Monday’s board meeting. The board is expected to vote on these changes at their next meeting, which is set for July 17.
In regards to public comment, the agenda subcommittee is proposing that members of the public be allowed to speak on any topic, not just items that are on the meeting agenda, said Grimes.
“The 45-minute time limit will continue,” he added. “Three minutes (per person) will continue, whereas extensions can be added through the discretion of the board president.”
“Priority will be given, if we reach the 15 people, to those who are speaking on agenda items,” said board president Nicole Wheeldon.
The subcommittee is also proposing adding a section to the sign-up sheet for public comment that asks speakers which BCSC officials, if any, they have already spoken with, said Grimes.
In discussing these recommendations, board member Dale Nowlin asked what this means for an upcoming set of policy revisions from NEOLA, as the docket includes an updated policy on public participation on board meetings.
Superintendent Jim Roberts indicated that the subcommittee’s recommendation is expected to replace the proposed policy from NEOLA. The policy from NEOLA also included an option for the school corporation to have a process for members of the public to request for items be placed the board’s agenda.
Grimes said that subcommittee’s other recommendations for board meeting agendas include:
- Having no more than two presentations per meeting (with these limited to 10-12 minutes each).
- Eliminating the “Board Commendations” section of the agenda, with members voicing any commendations they may have during the time for “Board Input and Review” at the meeting’s end.
- Modifying the number of times that the school board hears from certain cabinet members each year.
- Dividing the consent agenda into old or unfinished business and new business.
- Having the assistant superintendent of human resources provide a brief summary of the latest HR recommendations and an update on the number of open positions in BCSC.
“Most of our changes were motivated by reasons to have fewer transitions in the meeting and just kind of to streamline things,” said Grimes.
Board member Rich Stenner, who chairs the board subcommittee on public engagement, said that his group is not yet ready to present recommendations to the board.
“Time will tell, but I think what we want is a framework that would allow for us to maximize public engagement for the board, to help the board make informed decisions, that will look at a variety of tools and techniques that will be based on the issue at hand,” he said. “The board and the administration will have the opportunity to choose any of a number of means of public engagement based on the topic and what would be appropriate for the topic.”
He noted that the subject of public comment at board meetings is one area where the two subcommittees’ work intersects.
Wheeldon said that the board will plan to vote on the agenda subcommittee’s recommendations at the next meeting, at which time they also expect to hear a more formal proposal from the public engagement group.
