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South River board agrees to cap public comment at 3 minutes; first reading planned in January

South River Board of Education · January 6, 2026

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Summary

Board counsel advised the board it may set a time cap for public comments by bylaw; the board agreed 3 minutes is adequate and asked staff to prepare a first reading in January and a second reading for implementation in February.

Board counsel told the South River Board of Education that the board may adopt a time cap for public comments by amending bylaw 9322, noting common caps range from two to five minutes.

After discussion, multiple board members told the chair they supported a three-minute limit for visitor remarks. Kevin Nielsen and others argued that prepared public statements typically fit within that time. The board directed staff to prepare the proposed bylaw language for a first reading in January and to schedule a second reading in February for final adoption and implementation.

Counsel said the bylaw change requires the standard two-reading process so the public has notice; the board agreed to that timetable. Staff will present the draft policy language at the January meeting so the public can review it before the February final vote.