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Committee holds bill that would require school boards to post agendas 48 hours in advance
Summary
Senate Bill 269 would require school boards to post meeting agendas at least 48 hours ahead of public meetings (with an emergency-meeting exception); the committee received mixed public comment and voted to hold the bill after debate about singling out school boards and local control.
Senate Bill 269, introduced by Sen. Weiler, would require local school boards to publish meeting agendas at least 48 hours before a public meeting, a compromise from an earlier 72‑hour request. The sponsor said the extra time helps families plan for childcare and participate more meaningfully in board meetings.
Supporters argued 48 hours gives parents a reasonable planning window; Melanie Mortensen, speaking online from Davis County, said the modest extension would allow more constituents to engage. Opponents — including Lexi Cunningham of USSA/USBA and Jennifer Partridge, Provo School Board president — said school boards should not be singled out relative to other elected bodies and stressed the need for flexibility to adjust agendas close to meetings.
Committee members questioned how the proposal interacts with existing public‑meeting statutes (APMA) and caucus practice. Sponsor said APMA sets a 24‑hour notice baseline and that emergency meetings would be exempt. Representative Peterson moved to hold the bill, arguing for consistent standards across elected bodies and local policy options; the motion to hold passed 9–2 (McPherson and Hayes opposed).
What’s next: SB 269 was held in committee; sponsors may refine language to address whether a broader statutory change for all public bodies is appropriate or keep the proposal limited to school boards.
