Gwinnett school board delays changes to public-comment policy after community feedback

The Gwinnett County Board of Education voted unanimously Dec. 19 to keep proposed revisions to policy BCBI, its public-participation rule, on the table until the Jan. 16, 2025 business meeting while staff gather more community feedback.

Superintendent Dr. Watts told the board that staff had received a "significant amount of feedback" during the previous 24 hours and recommended postponing action so the district could review comments. "I recommend that the proposed revisions to this policy remain on the table until the January 16th, 2025 business meeting," Dr. Watts said.

A board member moved to keep the item on the table and the motion carried with a unanimous voice vote. Board members said they wanted to ensure constituents have an opportunity to weigh in on how public comment is scheduled and broadcast.

The proposed BCBI revisions, discussed at a work session earlier in the day, had drawn concern from speakers during the public-comment period who said parts of the draft appear to limit when nonstudent members of the public could speak on agenda items. One speaker said the draft read as if "anybody besides students who wanna comment on agenda items at this meeting would only be able to do so after the votes had occurred." Board members responded that the item will remain posted on the GCPS website for comment and that staff will consider privacy and accessibility concerns raised by constituents.

The board’s decision pauses formal action and sets a procedural deadline: staff must return the policy to the board for further consideration on Jan. 16, 2025.