Board members reviewed proposed revisions to BEDH and BEDB (rules governing board meeting conduct and public comment) at the Oct. 23 special meeting and discussed several operational changes intended to clarify public-comment procedure and improve security/check‑in for public attendees.

Key proposed changes discussed: move the first public‑comment session to immediately before action items (so the board can hear public input in advance of votes), extend each public-comment session to 40 minutes (creating two sessions), allow priority access for District 49 students to speak early in the session, and provide an option for in‑person sign-up for speakers (with a hard check‑in cutoff to allow staff to sort speakers). The draft also proposes using the Raptor visitor check‑in system at board meetings to record attendance and issue visitor labels; board members discussed potential time impacts and whether additional hardware (an extra scanning unit) would be needed for large‑attendance meetings.

Board feedback and logistics: Members expressed support for greater accommodation for people who cannot sign up online and asked administration for practical guidance on how Raptor would work for meetings that draw large numbers (example: need for additional scan units, staffing at the desk). Board members removed language that would have allowed the board president to close public comment unilaterally for a later reopening without a full‑board vote; several members said a full‑board vote is more appropriate for that action. Administration staff said Lynette (board staff) can assist attendees who cannot sign up online and that a hard public‑comment check‑in cutoff (06:15 p.m.) would be needed to avoid missing people who signed up earlier online.

Outcome and next steps: The board accepted multiple revisions in principle and asked administration to: (1) evaluate Raptor logistics and timing (including whether an extra scanning unit would be needed and associated licensing/operational costs); (2) confirm Lynette’s role in assisting in‑person sign-ups and the proposed 6:15 p.m. cutoff; and (3) bring a redline that incorporates agreed changes (moving public comment, two 40‑minute sessions, priority for students, removal of unilateral closing language) for future board action. The board also signaled intent to redact the older BEDH policy and to move a revised version forward for action after the administrative checks.