Board directs staff to revise public‑comment policy, removes online‑only sign‑up requirement

The Mosinee School District Board of Education directed staff to revise its public forum policy to remove a requirement that speakers sign up only via an online form and asked administration to draft policy language to allow comments on agenda and non‑agenda items with restrictions.

Board members said some community members — particularly elderly residents — had difficulty with the district’s online sign‑up process and compared the district’s approach unfavorably to local townships that provide a paper sign‑in at the meeting. One board member said constituents asked, “why can’t I go to a school board meeting and talk about something and I have to wait till it's on the agenda?” Administration and other members said the board must balance accessibility with a need to follow the chain of command and to avoid blindsiding staff with unexpected complaints.

A motion to remove the online submission requirement and to direct staff to bring revised policy language for future approval passed. The board then separately directed staff to draft language that would permit speakers to address agenda and non‑agenda topics, subject to limits such as time restrictions and prohibitions on personal attacks and confidential matters; the board requested that the revised policy be returned for formal reading and adoption at a future meeting.

Administrators said they would attach the public forum rules to sign‑in materials and recommended clarifying standard time limits and prohibitions in the posted policy.