Bill Would Require Public Comment at Board Meetings

Bill Would Require Public
Comment at Board Meetings

Legislation that would require boards of education to set aside a portion of every meeting for public comment was approved by the Senate Education Committee last week.

The bill, S-1300, would amend the Open Public Meetings Act to add boards of education to the public bodies that must provide for public comment at every meeting. The length of time to be set aside would be determined by the board of education, and members of the public would be able to comment on any issue of concern. Municipal governing bodies are already required to designate time to allow the public to speak, but no such requirement has existed for school boards.

NJSBA notes that the nearly all local school boards currently provide for public comment at their meetings—even in the absence of a state requirement. NJSBA policy states that local boards of education should schedule a period during every regular public board meeting for meaningful citizen participation. Similar language is included in a model policy that NJSBA recommends to local school districts.

The bill, sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and M. Teresa Ruiz, now goes to the full Senate for consideration.