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Board adopts new public-participation rule; critics say it removes organizational presentation time
Summary
Caddo Parish School Board voted to revise its public-participation policy Feb. 18; the change ends a 30-minute organizational presentation block while keeping individual three-minute public comments, prompting criticism from some speakers who said the shift limits organized groups.
The Caddo Parish School Board on Feb. 18 approved a revision to its public-participation policy after debate and public comment about whether the change would limit organized groups' opportunities to present at meetings.
John Glover, a resident and frequent commenter, told the board he opposed the revision and said it appeared to remove a process by which organizations could seek extended presentation time. "For this particular legislation to be dismantled to the effect that no longer I can stand or send in that request to be considered to have a presentation presented before the executive board, a decision made is not in the right confines for me," Glover said.
Board members who supported the change said the revision removes a separate 30-minute block for organizations and instead retains individual three-minute public comments, which they said prevents duplication and lengthier, unwieldy presentations. Board member Miss Veil said the intent was not to "silence the public" but to harmonize two different policies that had been combined in ways that allowed both a 30-minute organizational block and individual three-minute remarks.
Superintendent Keith Burton told the board staff had met with employee organizations and that district leadership planned to restore the prior grievance/employee-presentation process. Burton said staff would propose dates for employee presentation meetings in the coming weeks.
The motion to approve the revised public-participation policy (policy BCBI) was moved by board member Linda Thorpe and seconded; the board adopted the revision. The transcript records the motion as passing with seven affirmative votes.
