Prior to the start of the Oct. 22 open session of the Brodhead school board meeting, I presented each member with an envelope that contained the following material: 1. A list of 122 names of people who felt there should be a place on the Brodhead school board agenda for "citizen's concerns." 2. A letter of explanation for the concern over the absence of "citizen's concerns." 3. A written request on behalf of the 122 signatures to have the topic "School Board Agendas" added to the next open session.
At the board meeting on Jan. 28 - 98 days after the written request was presented to each board member - listed eighth on the printed agenda was the item titled "Consideration of adding a public comment section to meeting agendas." Several, but not all, of the board members voiced their opinion on the subject. Current school board policy, "Public Complaint about School Personnel and Procedure for Handling Complaints about School Personnel," was given as reason for not adding public comment. The basic format of this policy is that anyone wanting to file a complaint against school personnel first must talk to the staff member involved, then the principal, then the superintendent, and no charges against any employee will be investigated until the complaint is in writing, signed by the person issuing the complaint and then presented to the superintendent - who will in turn present it to the board. The reason for this process, found in paragraph 2 is, "The Board places trust in its employees and desires to support their actions in such a manner that employees are freed from unnecessary, spiteful, or negative criticism and complaints." This policy addresses the filing of a complaint, not public comment!
I raised my hand in an attempt to make a statement, to be part of the discussion concerning the written request I presented 98 days earlier with 122 signatures. I was not denied the opportunity to speak; instead, I was completely ignored! No acknowledgment of any kind. A complete lack of response, as if I was not in the room. There was no vote taken by the board, but a unanimous consensus was announced, "Not to add 'Public Comment' to the agenda and leave policy as is."
Another school board policy addresses the procedure of adding a specific matter of concern to the agenda. First, written notice must be presented at least 48 hours before the open meeting to the superintendent or board president. Second, the superintendent and board president have the authority to decide if the matter will be added to the next agenda. This portion of the policy addresses how to add a specific matter of concern to the agenda, not public comment. The last portion of the policy addresses visitors. If a visitor wishes to present concerns to the board without a written request, a board vote may be taken and at least four board members must vote "yes" before the visitor will be given the opportunity to address the board.
The standard items included on the school board agenda are "Accept Donations," "Resignations," "Employment Recommendations," "Future Agenda," "Closed Session," "Action on Closed Session Items," and "Adjournment." These items are listed prior to there being a specifically announced need. In my opinion, "Public Comment" should be added to this list.
As stated in State Statute 19.84 - Public Notice - Section 2 - "The public notice of a meeting of a governmental body may provide for a period of public comment during which the body may receive information from members of the public."
The unanimous consensus announced at the Jan. 28 meeting goes against what is provided for in State Statute 19.84. The Brodhead school board has agreed not to provide for a period of public comment during which the body may receive information from members of this public.
The citizens of this community should be encouraged to have contact with this school board. Our thoughts, comments and concerns should be welcomed. Value the person who is willing to attend a meeting, stand, and make a statement in public. Standing in a public meeting shows readiness to own the statement they are about to make. They stand not only before the elected school board, they stand before their community. They are recognized and their statement becomes part of public record in the school board minutes. I don't know how a person could take more ownership or responsibility for their comments!
Monroe, Albany and Janesville are some of the school districts that provide for a period of public comment during the open session of their board meetings. At the Dec. 10 Janesville school board meeting, 13 citizens were present, each to make a public statement to the board. Among those who made a decision to speak was a fourth-grade student wanting her school board to know her thoughts on a subject and asked the school board to consider her input.
In my opinion, that kind of public comment is what we need to encourage in the Brodhead school district.
We need to remember this school board is a governmental body. We elected the members. We need to be able to have contact with them as a board, if we have a comment, a question or a concern.
At the board meeting on Jan. 28 - 98 days after the written request was presented to each board member - listed eighth on the printed agenda was the item titled "Consideration of adding a public comment section to meeting agendas." Several, but not all, of the board members voiced their opinion on the subject. Current school board policy, "Public Complaint about School Personnel and Procedure for Handling Complaints about School Personnel," was given as reason for not adding public comment. The basic format of this policy is that anyone wanting to file a complaint against school personnel first must talk to the staff member involved, then the principal, then the superintendent, and no charges against any employee will be investigated until the complaint is in writing, signed by the person issuing the complaint and then presented to the superintendent - who will in turn present it to the board. The reason for this process, found in paragraph 2 is, "The Board places trust in its employees and desires to support their actions in such a manner that employees are freed from unnecessary, spiteful, or negative criticism and complaints." This policy addresses the filing of a complaint, not public comment!
I raised my hand in an attempt to make a statement, to be part of the discussion concerning the written request I presented 98 days earlier with 122 signatures. I was not denied the opportunity to speak; instead, I was completely ignored! No acknowledgment of any kind. A complete lack of response, as if I was not in the room. There was no vote taken by the board, but a unanimous consensus was announced, "Not to add 'Public Comment' to the agenda and leave policy as is."
Another school board policy addresses the procedure of adding a specific matter of concern to the agenda. First, written notice must be presented at least 48 hours before the open meeting to the superintendent or board president. Second, the superintendent and board president have the authority to decide if the matter will be added to the next agenda. This portion of the policy addresses how to add a specific matter of concern to the agenda, not public comment. The last portion of the policy addresses visitors. If a visitor wishes to present concerns to the board without a written request, a board vote may be taken and at least four board members must vote "yes" before the visitor will be given the opportunity to address the board.
The standard items included on the school board agenda are "Accept Donations," "Resignations," "Employment Recommendations," "Future Agenda," "Closed Session," "Action on Closed Session Items," and "Adjournment." These items are listed prior to there being a specifically announced need. In my opinion, "Public Comment" should be added to this list.
As stated in State Statute 19.84 - Public Notice - Section 2 - "The public notice of a meeting of a governmental body may provide for a period of public comment during which the body may receive information from members of the public."
The unanimous consensus announced at the Jan. 28 meeting goes against what is provided for in State Statute 19.84. The Brodhead school board has agreed not to provide for a period of public comment during which the body may receive information from members of this public.
The citizens of this community should be encouraged to have contact with this school board. Our thoughts, comments and concerns should be welcomed. Value the person who is willing to attend a meeting, stand, and make a statement in public. Standing in a public meeting shows readiness to own the statement they are about to make. They stand not only before the elected school board, they stand before their community. They are recognized and their statement becomes part of public record in the school board minutes. I don't know how a person could take more ownership or responsibility for their comments!
Monroe, Albany and Janesville are some of the school districts that provide for a period of public comment during the open session of their board meetings. At the Dec. 10 Janesville school board meeting, 13 citizens were present, each to make a public statement to the board. Among those who made a decision to speak was a fourth-grade student wanting her school board to know her thoughts on a subject and asked the school board to consider her input.
In my opinion, that kind of public comment is what we need to encourage in the Brodhead school district.
We need to remember this school board is a governmental body. We elected the members. We need to be able to have contact with them as a board, if we have a comment, a question or a concern.
