Columbia Board of Education approves updated public speaking policy
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia Board of Education approved its updated public speaking participation policy Monday night at its first meeting of the school year.
After a lot of discussion and work, the board approved the changes in a 5-to-2 vote.
Some board members were satisfied with the changes while others still had concerns. The board went back and forth offering up changes to the policy and the language in the policy. Some are concerned the updated policy may discourage community participation in meetings.
The board made changes to the originally proposed revisions including adding a total time limit of 30 minutes for the comment period. The board also made changes to the policy for those wanting to sign up to talk during public comment. The policy now says those who want to speak to the board have to "register in advance or up to the time of the meeting."
The board also added that people can comment on action items or any school-related matter that may not be on the meeting agenda.
Comments will still be limited to 3 minutes and the new policy limits comments to 10 people per meeting. no substitute speakers are allowed.
The district said these changes are reflective of new laws passed by the state legislature last session. The district also wants its public comment process to align more with what other government agencies do, such as the Columbia City Council.
Under the policy, if a person comments at three meetings in a row they are not allowed to comment at the next two meetings.
The board also approved more than $94,000 worth of charter bus trips for high school activities. The district said it needed the extra bus help due to a driver shortage at STA caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. District spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said it is still accepting parents and school staff to help as bus drivers for after-school activities.
Security upgrades were also on the agenda. The board approved additions to security, including a lockdown button at one of the high schools and security film installation on windows at a some middle schools.
The board also unanimously approved updating its COVID-19 policy as required by federal law. The board said that it would continue to review the plan as needed.
Check back for updates after the meeting.
