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Trustees debate proposed policy to route outside presentations through superintendent and executive committee; policy sent to committee
Summary
Board discussion centered on a proposed new policy removing a public bypass route for presentations and requiring requesters to first seek superintendent approval or appeal to the executive committee for a three-minute request. Trustees and public commenters raised concerns about free-speech, public access, and whether the change would circumvent
A proposed policy change to how outside presentations reach the Caddo Parish School Board drew extended debate on Tuesday before trustees agreed to send the item to the policy review committee for further study.
Board member Miss McLean introduced a draft policy that would require any person or organization seeking to give an education-related presentation to submit the request to the superintendent. If the superintendent declines, the requester could appeal to the executive committee where the requester would have three minutes to explain why the full board should hear the presentation. The measure’s stated intent, McLean said, was to preserve free speech while creating a gatekeeping step to avoid repeated, lengthy or irrelevant public presentations that previously took substantial meeting time.
Several trustees and members of the public objected to the proposed flow. Public commenters and trustees warned the policy could give the superintendent excessive authority to deny requests and could limit direct public access to the board. Attorney Abrams and other trustees explained the draft distinguishes between a simple presentation request (a three-minute appeal to the executive committee) and a full board agenda item; the policy is not intended to create an additional route to place an action item before the board without committee consideration. Still, trustees expressed concern that the draft’s definitions of what is “education related” or appropriate for the executive committee were broad enough to be abused.
Public commenters told the board they feared the change would limit citizen voice. Jackie Lansdale, president of Red River United, urged trustees to require concrete reciprocal benefits when the board approves tax exemptions for businesses. John Glover said the policy, as drafted, could be used to silence community requests.
After sustained discussion and procedural points, a trustee asked that the draft be referred to the policy review committee so staff and trustees can examine definitions, appeal steps and public-access safeguards. The board president agreed and directed staff to send the proposed rule language to committee for revision and recommendation before bringing it back to the full board.
No final policy vote was taken at the executive meeting; trustees instead voted to refer the matter to committee.
