Resident Jessica Cole urges board to restore early, unrestricted public-comment period; Eunice Inkermanson urges LGBTQ+ support
June 08, 2026 | Battle Ground School District, School Districts, Washington
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Jessica Cole, a local resident, told the board she continues to oppose the district’s split public-comment structure and urged a return to a single, early, unrestricted public-comment period to improve accessibility.
"The reality is that many people cannot stay for a two- or three-hour meeting just to speak for three minutes," Cole said, adding that parents, workers, caregivers, students and people with disabilities often lack flexibility. She said the district created the new structure without prior community feedback and that, at the last meeting, a person who had signed up for the later public-comment period left before speaking because they didn’t know comments might be taken earlier.
Cole asked whether the board has collected data showing the change increased participation and requested the board either return to an early, single comment period or ensure an unrestricted opportunity near the beginning of the meeting.
Board members listened and did not respond to Cole’s request during public comment; the board’s stated practice is to listen and direct staff to follow up if action is needed.
Following Cole, Eunice Inkermanson—identified as a mother and grandmother—addressed the board during Pride Month and urged support for LGBTQ+ students and staff. Inkermanson described Pride as "self-esteem in the face of shaming" and offered resources and volunteer support to help schools ensure safety and dignity for LGBTQ+ youth.
"To anyone in this school district . . . I want to say you matter, you’re valuable," Inkermanson said, and offered to connect district staff with resources she’s affiliated with.
The public-comment period concluded with the board moving on to superintendent and staff updates. The board’s public-comment rules were read aloud before speakers; those rules allow the board to consolidate speakers into an earlier slot when fewer than 10 commenters sign up, and they limit the public-comment section to 30 minutes per section.
The board did not make an immediate policy change at the meeting; Cole’s request may be raised again during future agenda planning or listening sessions.
"The reality is that many people cannot stay for a two- or three-hour meeting just to speak for three minutes," Cole said, adding that parents, workers, caregivers, students and people with disabilities often lack flexibility. She said the district created the new structure without prior community feedback and that, at the last meeting, a person who had signed up for the later public-comment period left before speaking because they didn’t know comments might be taken earlier.
Cole asked whether the board has collected data showing the change increased participation and requested the board either return to an early, single comment period or ensure an unrestricted opportunity near the beginning of the meeting.
Board members listened and did not respond to Cole’s request during public comment; the board’s stated practice is to listen and direct staff to follow up if action is needed.
Following Cole, Eunice Inkermanson—identified as a mother and grandmother—addressed the board during Pride Month and urged support for LGBTQ+ students and staff. Inkermanson described Pride as "self-esteem in the face of shaming" and offered resources and volunteer support to help schools ensure safety and dignity for LGBTQ+ youth.
"To anyone in this school district . . . I want to say you matter, you’re valuable," Inkermanson said, and offered to connect district staff with resources she’s affiliated with.
The public-comment period concluded with the board moving on to superintendent and staff updates. The board’s public-comment rules were read aloud before speakers; those rules allow the board to consolidate speakers into an earlier slot when fewer than 10 commenters sign up, and they limit the public-comment section to 30 minutes per section.
The board did not make an immediate policy change at the meeting; Cole’s request may be raised again during future agenda planning or listening sessions.
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