Board agrees to revise public‑comment form language; 'group affiliation' to be removed from first read of Policy 903

The board’s governance committee brought a set of policy first reads to the meeting, including proposed language governing public comment sign‑ins. The recommended revision would remove a clause that asked speakers to list a "group affiliation" on the sign‑in sheet.

Board members argued the phrase created ambiguity about who had a right to speak at public comment and could be used by nonresidents to claim standing. "I just don't think that 'group affiliation' is needed because up top we state who's allowed to speak," said board member Joe Sailor, urging the removal of the phrase to avoid a loophole where a nonresident could claim to represent a district group.

Administration said the policy already defines which categories of people are guaranteed the right to speak (taxpayers, residents and employees) and that removing the 'group affiliation' language would not prevent board‑invited presentations. The board agreed by consensus to have the policy committee post a revised version for second reading.

No formal vote was taken; the committee will meet and publish a revised Policy 903 for board review next week.