At the most recent Hudson School Board meeting, Chair Maureen Dionne responded to recent questions about when – or if – the district’s public comment and participation policy might be amended.
Resident Craig Powers had previously asked whether the policy would be updated.
“I think you share my concerns with getting that updated,” he said during an earlier meeting.
The current policy, BEDH Public Comment and Participation, states in part:
“During the public comment period, an individual may offer comments on agenda items (only). However, consistent with RSA 189:74, I, and in the interest of protecting personally identifiable information (“PII”) as well as other confidential information, comments (including complaints) regarding individual students, volunteers, or employees (other than the superintendent) should be directed to the superintendent or otherwise as provided under the complaint/grievance resolution processes set forth in School Board policies KE and/or KEB. Members of the public shall limit comments only to those items appearing on the current agenda. Requests to address the Board on specific matters (i.e., a request to have a matter placed on an agenda) should be presented to the Superintendent and the School Board Chair no less than fourteen days prior to the next Board meeting and must set forth the specifics of the subject to be addressed. The determination whether to place the matter on the agenda will be made consistent with Board Policy BEDB.”
Powers said he would like to change the wording so that:
“An individual may offer public comment on any agenda items or any district matters.”
That language, he noted, would not limit comments to agenda items only.
Dionne said she wanted to publicly respond to that and other questions she had received via email and during public comment.
“I just figured I would respond to a few of those this evening,” she said during her School Board member comments.
She explained that the public input policy will be taken up at the School Board’s next policy committee meeting on Aug. 11. After the committee review, she expects it will proceed to a first reading before the full School Board.
Dionne did not indicate what specific changes – if any – might be made.
She also noted that test results are expected to be discussed at the Aug. 18 Hudson School Board meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
