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Westwood Heights board endorses scripted 'thank you' response for public comments to limit liability
Summary
At a Feb. 18 workshop the Westwood Heights Schools Board affirmed that public comments are for input, not a vehicle for immediate board action, and recommended board members reply consistently with 'Thank you' to avoid legal exposure.
The Westwood Heights Schools Board of Education used a Feb. 18 workshop to tighten guidance on public comment, urging members to treat public remarks as input rather than triggers for board action. The board’s materials state that public comment is "a forum for community members to express views, promoting board transparency and engagement," but that it is "not a grievance process, investigation, personnel hearing, or a call for immediate board action." The session emphasized limiting responses to avoid creating expectations of action.
Board materials and presenters cited legal guidance and Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) training in recommending scripted, minimal responses. The workshop guidance explicitly advised that "Board members are advised to respond only with ‘Thank you’ to public comments" and cautioned that "silence cannot be misquoted or misconstrued and protects the board from being held accountable for off-the-cuff remarks." The board also recommended avoiding phrases such as "It will be addressed," which could be interpreted as a promise of future action.
