Resident urges board to keep policy language allowing community‑group representation at public comment

A member of the public told the Wissahickon School District board April 28 she was concerned about proposed edits to Policy 903, the board’s public‑comment policy, and urged the board to retain language that permits representatives of community groups to speak during public comment.

Carmita Taylor said the policy was adopted Aug. 20, 2018 and last revised May 1, 2023, and that she had previously asked the board why the sentence now proposed for removal had been retained. Taylor said removing the sentence would limit non‑traditional advocacy groups and could prevent organizations such as local NAACP chapters from speaking on behalf of families who feel their civil rights have been violated. She asked the board to explain publicly why the change had been proposed and whether the recommendations came from outside organizations such as the National School Boards Association (NSBA) or the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA).

Marshall, who presented the policy committee report earlier in the meeting, had told the board there were no informational items and that the second reading of updated policies — including 9 0 3 — would be on the agenda for approval. The board did not take action on Policy 903 during the April 28 work session; the item was noted as a second reading to return for vote on May 5.

Taylor asked whether removing the language would limit inclusion and advocacy and asked the board to explain what had changed between the last revision in 2023 and the proposed revision in 2025. The board did not take action at the work session; the matter will be considered at the next public meeting, when the policy committee’s proposed language will be before the full board for a vote.