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Columbia, Missouri (KMIZ)

The Columbia Board of Education approved an updated Public Speaking Participation Policy on Monday night, making some changes to how the public speaks at conferences.

The agenda also included topics such as changes to the Board’s public speaking policy, security upgrades, and COVID-19 planning.

After much discussion and work, some board members were happy with the changes, while others still had concerns.

The board has gone back and forth with policy and policy wording changes.

Some fear that the updated policy will keep the community from attending meetings.

The Board made changes to the originally proposed amendment, including adding a total time limit of 30 minutes for the comment period. The Board has also changed its policy for those who wish to sign up to speak during public comment. Current policy says that anyone wishing to speak at a board meeting must “register in advance or by the time of the meeting.”

The board also added that people can comment on action items and school-related issues that may not be on the meeting agenda.

Comments are still limited to 3 minutes, but the new policy limits comments to 10 people per meeting. No substitute speakers are allowed.

The district said these changes reflect new legislation passed by the state legislature in its last session. The district also wants its public comment process to be more in line with what other government agencies, such as the Columbia City Council, do.

Under this 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 announced updates to federal law-mandated COVID-19 policies and additions to security, such as a lockdown button at one of the high schools and the installation of security films on windows at some middle schools. will also work on.

After the meeting, check back for updates.