School board adopts new public-participation policy, rejects changes to committee policy

During old business on March 13 the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board voted on two governance policies. The board voted down a proposed revision to Policy BBC (Board Committees) on a motion by Wallace, seconded by Mitchell-Williams; the motion to approve failed with 4 yeas and 7 nays.

The board then voted to approve revised Policy BCBI, which governs public participation in school board meetings. A motion by Triche, seconded by Wallace, carried 11–0. The adopted policy text specifies procedures including use of public-comment cards, a three-minute limit per speaker (subject to chair discretion), requirements that comments be germane to the agenda item, and the board's right to recess to executive sessions as allowed under state law. The policy cites Louisiana statutes including La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81 and provisions of the Open Meetings Law (R.S. 42:14–23).

The minutes note the new policy is dated April 2023 and provides operating details for public comment at regular and committee meetings; the board recorded the vote in the minutes and entered the policy text into the record.