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Board to update public-comment rules after state open-meetings changes; district policy BCBA governs public participation
Summary
The board said pending state law changes effective in August will prompt updates to the districts public-comment procedures; current district policy BCBA limits speakers to three minutes and total public comment to 30 minutes, and requires use of complaint processes for certain matters.
Wilson Basin School District No. 7 trustees told the public they will update meeting rules to comply with state changes to open-meetings law that take effect in August and reviewed the districts current public-participation policy, BCBA.
Why it matters: Changes to open-meetings law affect how and when the public can address the board. The districts written procedures set time limits and require some complaints to follow established complaint channels before being heard at a meeting.
Board staff said the district will revise its public-participation procedures to reflect the new state wording once the final language is published. Under current Policy BCBA, the board treats its sessions as meetings conducted for district business and not as deliberative "public meetings" with an absolute right to speak; the policy nevertheless affords the public an opportunity to speak under these rules:
- Individuals are asked to state their name for the record and the agenda item they address. - Comments are limited to three minutes per individual and to 30 minutes total for public comment. - The board will refuse to hear matters that are governed by the districts complaint procedures if the complainant has not followed those procedures or if the matter is legally prohibited from public disclosure (for example, student education records). - The presiding officer may terminate a speakers privilege for persistent disruption.
Board members said they will bring the policy language into compliance with state law in August and that staff will notify the public of any procedural updates. No change to Policy BCBA was adopted at this meeting; the item was an informational briefing and the board received no public comments during the meeting.
