Several parents and community members spoke during the public-comment period at the Davis School District board meeting, offering thanks to educators and asking board members to improve outreach to constituents.

Tara Cooper, a parent of two and founder of Utah Parents for Teachers, thanked the board for prioritizing increased funding for teaching assistants, including special-education TAs, saying that aide support “helps our teachers and other students in their classes immensely.”

Jessica Horton of Centerville, a parent of four and a founder of What Davis Read, described a small classroom gesture by a substitute teacher to illustrate district staff’s attention to students’ social and emotional needs. Horton said she appreciates that board members and district administrators have “been thoughtful and responsive” when she has raised concerns and thanked outgoing board members for their years of service.

Melanie Mortensen, a resident, encouraged board members—especially newly elected members—to maintain regular, proactive contact with constituents through newsletters, private district Facebook groups or email lists so the public can offer input before decisions are finalized. Mortensen said improved communication would “help decrease a lot of the contention and the misunderstandings” in the community.

The board’s public-comment rules were read at the start of the meeting: comments are reserved for Davis County residents or those who work in Davis School District, sign-up is required, speakers are limited to two minutes each, and board members by law cannot respond, deliberate, or take action on items raised during public comment.