By Adam Swift
A discussion over the parameters of public comment at School Committee meetings was one of the highlights of Monday night’s committee meeting.
The discussion came up during a subcommittee report presented by member Julie Barry on the School Committee policies and procedures.
The current committee policy limits the public comment period at meetings to 15 minutes, with a three-minute limit per person. The committee chair can extend that time limit at their discretion.
Barry said she was wary of imposing a time limit on the public comment period.
“I think everyone has the right to be heard, I worry about having a time limit around that,” said Barry.
Committee member Gus Martucci said he supported keeping the time limit in the committee policy, noting that it has never really been an issue during his 20 years in office. He added that the time limit can always be extended by the chair if necessary.
Committee member and Town Council President Jim Letterie said he didn’t believe there should be a time limit for public comment codified in the committee policy.
“The vast majority of our meetings have pretty sparse attendance,” said Letterie. “When there is a hot topic, whether it is contract negotiations or Covid, people want to be heard and they have a right to be heard.”
Barry suggested that the committee could keep having a public comment period in its policies, but move the time limits over to the school committee procedures, making it easier to make adjustments if there is a need.
The policies and procedures subcommittee will take the feedback from the school committee before making final recommendations for a vote before the full committee, Barry said.
In addition to the time limit for the public comment period, there was also a discussion on whether the school committee should have one or two public comment periods.
Currently, the committee holds one public comment period at the beginning of its meetings. The town council holds public comment periods at both the beginning and end of its meetings.
“I think it should stay at one; I think it is apples and oranges to compare it to a council meeting,” said Letterie.
School Committee Chair Jennifer Powell also noted that residents can comment on any issues raised during a committee meeting through writing or emailing the committee after a meeting.
The school committee also discussed how detailed the committee goals should be within its policies.
Superintendent of Schools Lisa Howard pointed out that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees noted that the committee goals in the current policy do not need to be as specific as currently written.
Committee member Suzanne Leonard stated that while it may not necessarily pertain to the committee goals in the policy, the committee should be looking at ways to improve communications with the public, especially when it comes to communicating budget needs for the district.