Dist. 158 board looks to limit discussion

Two hours into the meeting of the Huntley Unit District 158 school board Thursday night, the board wasn't even halfway through its agenda for the night.

That's why some board members want to change the way the school board does business.

A procedural change that appeared before the full board for the first time Thursday would make meetings run more smoothly and result in fewer marathon board meetings, some board members say.

That change would place time limits on discussions between board members -- limiting the time a board member has to introduce a topic to five minutes and allowing other board members three minutes to respond.

The time limits would apply only to board meetings and not committee meetings, where board members would be allowed unlimited time to speak.

Board President Shawn Green and Superintendent John Burkey backed the time limits Thursday night.

"This discussion that we've been having the last half hour shouldn't be happening at a board meeting," Burkey said. "Our public isn't going to be here for the most important things we do."

But others said the policy should allow board members more time to speak.

Board member Larry Snow proposed changing the policy to allow board members 20 minutes each to introduce an item and respond.

Snow's proposed change was defeated 5-2. Board members who opposed Snow's change said the board could decide to suspend the time limits if an item warranted more discussion.

Snow also moved to amend the policy to allow all board members to speak without interruption at committee meetings.

Currently, board members who attend meetings of committees they don't serve on can speak at the discretion on the committee chair.

Snow's second amendment was also defeated 5-2, with other board members saying Snow's concern has not been an issue.

The failure of both of Snow's amendments means the new policy will return to the board for a second reading at its next meeting.