Board conducts first reading of Public Comment policy; members seek edits on solicitor role and recording retention

The Scranton School District board held the first reading of Policy 903 — which governs public comment at board meetings — and multiple directors raised suggested edits they want reflected in a second reading.

Policy Chair introduced the draft policy and directors flagged three primary concerns: language stating "no individual may speak more than once on the same topic" tied to an unclear clause "if there is time remaining in the public comment period" (several directors asked that phrase be removed to avoid ambiguity); a provision that assigns co-authority to the district solicitor alongside the presiding officer to terminate or remove speakers (Director Cheswick recommended removing the district solicitor language so the presiding officer retains authority, with recourse to consult the solicitor if needed); and record-retention language stating that recordings would be retained and disposed of according to the district's records retention schedule. One board member worried that if recordings can be disposed of under the retention schedule, they may not remain available indefinitely for members of the public.

Board members said the policy is a first read and that the suggestions could be incorporated before the second reading. Director Casey asked that edits be made on the floor so those changes appear in the second read. Board members agreed to provide clarifying language about retention and the role of the presiding officer, and to incorporate the proposed edits before final adoption.

No final vote was taken; the policy will return for a second reading with the requested clarifications and language revisions.