Claiborne Parish school board president says district will enforce public comment policy at July meeting

Perry Anderson, board president of the Claiborne Parish School Board, told the executive committee on July 11 that the district will begin enforcing Policy BCBI, the board's rule on public comment for agenda items, starting with the July regular called meeting. Anderson said the policy requires anyone wishing to speak on an agenda item to complete and submit a card listing their name and the specific agenda item and that a separate card must be filed for each different item.

Under the procedures Anderson described, the presiding officer will recognize speakers as the board reaches each agenda item; individuals may speak no more than three minutes per item and may speak only once on a given agenda item. Anderson also said the board will delay its own discussions or deliberations on an item until all members of the public who wish to address the board on that item have had an opportunity to speak.

Superintendent Brooks reviewed each item scheduled for the Regular Called Meeting that followed the executive committee session and invited board members to ask questions or request clarification on any agenda items. The minutes record the meeting as taking place at Homer High Cottage in Homer, Louisiana, at 5 p.m. and list executive committee members and several board members as present. The minutes close with the signature line of Mr. Chris Brooks, secretary of the Claiborne Parish School Board.

The minutes refer separately to "Superintendent Brooks," who previewed the agenda, and to the signature of "Mr. Chris Brooks, Secretary." The record does not indicate whether those two references are to the same person.