The Examiner U-46 News Feed

U-46 policy changes slated for vote, one deferred

By Seth Hancock
  The School District U-46 Board of Education is set to vote on various policy changes, including potentially limiting public comments at board meetings, at its upcoming Monday, Nov. 7 meeting.
  The policies, presented on Oct. 24, include Policy 2:230 concerning public participation at board meetings and petitions to the board. Included was a request, by Superintendent Tony Sanders, to ban public commentors from reading statements from anonymous members of the public.
  This comes after a meeting in September when a public commentor read a statement from an anonymous U-46 teacher who criticized the district’s fiscal mismanagement and inappropriate books in the schools. Also, several years ago the board changed it’s practice to limit public comments after several straight lengthy meetings with opposition to district practices being addressed.
  “I asked for this to be added, and it was really the concern about people coming in and speaking by proxy, speaking for somebody else whether it’s anonymous or not,” Sanders claimed.
  Trisha Olson, chief legal officer, said “anonymous comments will only be accepted in writing to the Board of Education” under the proposal but admitted it’s unclear if the district has legal authority to ban anonymous public comments at meetings.
  Most board members agreed with the change but felt it may be unenforceable, board member Dawn Martin stating: “We can put it in writing, and people will do it or won’t, but I don’t know if there’s actually a way in practice to stop people from reading comments that way or what we would do if they did.”
  Board members Kate Thommes and Melissa Owens both called it “theater” to read anonymous comments.
  However, board members Veronica Noland and Eva Porter said there are many legitimate reasons one would want to remain anonymous.
  “We also have folks in our community who may not feel comfortable giving their name for a variety of reasons that might not be related to the school,” Noland said.
  The board suggested further discussion is needed before making any change.
  There were 11 other policies discussed, most changes being “technical” for legal references, Olson said.