District 303 school board works to clarify rules for public participation at meetings

St. Charles Unit District 303 school board members continue to work on clarifying the district's rules regarding public participation at board meetings.

School board members discussed the issue again during a Monday policy committee meeting.

District 303 administration recommended using newly created language that states, "During the public comment period, community members will have up to three minutes apiece to address the board on a topic of their choosing. We ask all individuals who address the board to do so with respect and civility toward others. Insults and defamatory remarks will not be tolerated. Please note that personnel matters are sensitive and confidential. While the board cannot respond to today's public comments during this meeting, we are committed to listening to you to help support our work for the district and on behalf of our students, families and community members."

The administration recommends reading the proposed language before citizen comments at board and committee meetings. School Superintendent Paul Gordon asked board members if they were comfortable with the new language.

Board member Becky McCabe had questions about some of the language in the proposed new statement. She questioned the part about not tolerating insults and defamatory remarks.

"I don't know what that means," McCabe said. "We've had a long discussion about what legally we can do and not do, and what does it mean it won't be tolerated? We have to be really careful. You can't stop people from speaking."

Gordon said the language could be changed to say, "We ask all individuals who address the board to do so with respect and civility towards others."

"That is just the expectation," Gordon said. "Assuming positive intent, I believe, sometimes is exactly a good place for us to be."

Board member Matthew Kuschert asked if it would be incumbent on whoever is in charge of the meeting to cut a comment off if it is inappropriate.

"It is the chairperson's role to be able to say, 'Again, I want to remind the speaker that we are asking for civility toward and respect for each other.'"

Gordon said in response. "I don't think there's a place for us to stop them from using whatever language they are, but we can remind them of our expectations. I think that's where legal counsel would want us to be. We're good at reminding people."

Board member Ed McNally agreed with other board members that speakers should have to identify themselves. "I think that anytime somebody has an opinion, they should be identifying themselves as to who they are," he said.

There also was a discussion about whether speakers should be required to say where they live. McNally noted that the board's attorney has said speakers do not have to provide that information.

Gordon suggested language that would say, "We would ask that you please identify yourself and identify what community you reside in."

Board member Jillian Barker noted that, in the past, speakers would read statements from other people.

"Is that OK?" Barker said. "How does that work? it just opens up a lot of questions for me."

Gordon said it is allowable.

Board members plan to review the proposed changes before implementing them.