P.O. Box 1222, Madison, WI 53701 | www.prodane.org | office@prodane.org | (608) 257-4985
For Immediate Release
February 7, 2008
At Monday’s school board meeting, a proposal was considered that would limit meaningful public comment at School Board meetings. The proposal as noted on the agenda was as follows:
It is recommended that the Board approve the revisions to School Board Policy 1222 and School Board Policy 1220 as identified in Appendix JJJ-8-6; said revisions affecting public appearances at board meetings, committee meetings, public hearings, and other meetings.
In short, if you are coming to speak about an item that is on the agenda, public speaking will be at the beginning of the meeting. If you are speaking about a non-agenda item, public speaking will be after the business portion of our agenda. If you are a student (K-12), you can speak at the beginning of the meeting even if you are speaking on a non-agenda item.
“This change effectively makes it difficult for parents of children who come to testify to also testify and depending upon how late the meetings run, may limit this input altogether, “ said Brenda Konkel, co-chair of Progressive Dane.
The reasons given for this proposal were to allow Board members spend more time on agenda items instead of listening to the public on matters not currently before them. This is a real problem and one the Board should seek solutions to by working with the public. Progressive Dane members applaud the School Board for looking for new ways to make their meeting more effective and efficient; we also believe that hearing from the public is a key to maintaining a strong democracy, paramount to passing good policies and part of proud tradition that keeps our Madison schools strong.
“We are very concerned about the manner in which this item was introduced. While the item did appear on the agenda, members of the public did not have access to the item until the meeting, “said Progressive Dane Education Task Force Chair Thomas J. Mertz.
To further complicate things, the public will not be allowed to speak when this item comes up on February 18th because it is a workshop session and public appearances are not allowed.
“We urge the Board of Education to abandon this proposal and begin an open discussion on ways that both the Board and the public can improve communication. There’s no need to rush.” said former School Board Member Bill Keys. We ask the public to make their voices heard by contacting the Board and testifying at the Communications Committee meeting on February 11, 2008 at 5:00 PM. We invite all who are concerned to participate in the School Budget 101 seminar that Progressive Dane is sponsoring in the coming month (details to be announced soon) and work to enhance understanding and communication for all.
“Eliminating early public input makes it hard for ordinary citizens to testify at board meetings on issues that might be below the radar. While it’s important that the Board has adequate time to deliberate on their agenda, it’s also very important that the public has a chance to have their say,” said Lukas Diaz co-chair of Progressive Dane.
Posted by prodane at February 8, 2008 05:12 AM
We, the members of Progressive Dane, join together to form an independent political party in Dane County with a major focus on local issues. We pledge to work to improve the quality of life in Dane County for all people, particularly those marginalized by economic and social discrimination. We will work to improve our local government by making it open, easier to understand, and accessible for all citizens of Dane County. We are working to achieve positive policy change by electing accountable progressive officials and mobilizing citizen action.
Progressive Dane's "In The News" blog keeps you up to date on the latest news from (and about) PD. Check here for information on PD's policy initiatives and to read about what our endorsed elected officials are up to.
