The Newburgh City School District policy committee agreed to add language to the district’s public‑comment policy creating a brief non‑agenda comment period at the end of meetings, limited to two minutes per person and a 15‑minute total. Chair Mr. Howard said, “A total of 15 minutes. 2 minutes per person.”

The change is intended to give members of the public who remain until adjournment a chance to respond after agenda items are discussed. Committee co‑chair Ray Bergarelli proposed the end‑of‑meeting slot and said it would allow people “to immediately address some of the concerns that may have been brought up at the meeting.”

Acting Superintendent Onyx Peterson told the committee staff can add the language and present it with the policy at the next meeting. Committee members discussed whether the new slot should be considered a non‑agenda item and agreed it would be. Margo May (clerk pro tem) and other members confirmed that the updated public‑comment policy will be presented for first reading and adoption at the committee’s next meeting.

Discussion points included whether the end‑of‑meeting period should be 10–15 minutes and whether two minutes per speaker is sufficient. Sade Burks, a committee member, said she supported the addition because audience members often have follow‑up questions after discussion and “by the time the next meeting comes, we've forgotten the questions.”

No formal vote on the policy language was recorded during the meeting; the committee directed staff to draft specific wording for the non‑agenda comment period and include it in the packet for the next board meeting.

The committee did not discuss changes to other elements of the public‑comment rules during this session. The policy will return to the board for formal consideration as scheduled.