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Board clarifies public-comment policy to keep in-person sign-ups open until first speaker
Summary
The board adopted clarified language to permit electronic public comments to be accepted online during the 24 hours before a meeting and to allow in-person comment cards to be submitted up until the first speaker begins; the clarification carried unanimously following debate about equitable access.
The Beaufort County Board of Education clarified its public-comment policy on Oct. 15 to allow electronic comment forms to remain open for 24 hours before a meeting and to permit in-person public-comment cards to be submitted up until each session's first speaker.
Policy Committee Chair Earl Campbell presented the recommendation to open electronic public comments for the 24 hours preceding a meeting and to limit in-person sign-ups to the start of each comment session. Several board members, including William Smith, raised equity concerns for constituents without internet access or who arrive late due to work schedules. The chair and other members said the intent was to expand access by adding the online window, not to restrict walk-in commenters.
To address the concerns, the motion was clarified on the record to explicitly state that in-person public-comment cards may be turned in up until the moment the first speaker begins for each session; that clarification was seconded and passed unanimously.
Board members said staff will ensure the policy language clearly captures the dual access pathways (online 24-hour window and in-person up to session start). The finalized policy language will be posted with the board's policy materials and implemented for future meetings.
