Fosters Opinion: Productivity

Another opinion letter published today in the online edition of Fosters Daily Democrat:

Productivity

To the editor: During a recent Oyster River School Board meeting, then superintendent Howard Colter commented that the meetings were too long, often causing a problem for teachers and administrators who needed to be at the meetings but also needed to get home to prepare for the following day's classes. Whereupon the public comments section began and a parade of 15 or so speakers got up to repeat what had already been said over and over again by previous speakers in previous sessions. All of this was prompted simply by a vote of the School Board not to hire Justin Campbell as the high school principal for reason(s) that it is not allowed to divulge.

Now that the board has in place a well-respected teacher as interim high school principal and an experienced administrator as interim superintendent, let us hope that the silliness and animosity will end and the School Board will be allowed to use its time more productively.

Ruth Cunniff
Durham

---

Let us add that it is important that all be extended the opportunity to express their opinion to the ORCSD Board. However, as Ms. Cunniff expresses above, the board also must conduct the business of the meeting in a timely fashion for the benefit of all in attendance. Attempting to balance these two goals, the board adopted policy BEDH [PDF] in 2007 which contains the following points regarding public participation at board meetings:

1. Individuals wishing to be heard by the Board will be recognized by the Board Chair.
2. After identifying themselves, speakers may make comments for up to three minutes. A speaker will not be recognized for a second time on a particular topic.
3. Groups wishing to address the Board are requested to designate no more than two persons to speak on their behalf.
4. Speakers must observe rules of common etiquette and be courteous at all times.
5. Public comment is not allowed about specific individuals. Such matters should be referred to the appropriate administrator.
6. Speakers should not expect the Board or the Superintendent to answer questions or respond to comments during the public comment period. Speakers may follow up on questions with the Superintendent as necessary during regular business hours. Except in an emergency, the Board will not take action on an issue before the Superintendent has had an opportunity to research the issue and make a recommendation to the Board.
7. The Board Chair will stop any public comment that is contrary to these rules.
8. Persons who disrupt a Board meeting may be required to leave in order to permit the orderly consideration of the matters for which the meeting was called.

Please feel encouraged to comment at ORCSD Board meetings, but also please be prepared and concise as a courtesy to the board members, district staff, and other residents in attendance.