School Board should allow public comment

In a Nov. 6 letter to the editor, the Scarborough School Board attempted to explain their role. While their intention was laudable, the results were less than satisfactory.

For instance, in the letter the members of the board draw the distinction between a “public meeting” and a “meeting held in a public setting.” Unfortunately, they don’t explain the implications of the two types of meetings. My understanding of the distinction (which may be incorrect) is that a public meeting is one in which members of the public may – within defined limits – provide input. At a meeting held in public, however, no public input is permitted. This seems like a rather evasive and legalistic manner to explain away the board’s unwillingness to accept general public comment at its meetings.

At the Town Council meetings, in contrast, each meeting begins with a period of general public comment – on any topic relevant to town affairs. Granted the three-minute, one-way presentations by members of the public may not be the perfect solution to meaningful town-citizen communication. But at least it is an avenue through which citizens can express their concerns.

I would suggest that if the School Board is genuinely concerned with public input, they should consider a general public comment segment during each board meeting. I would have made this suggestion at a School Board meeting, but the board’s current rules prohibit that.

Steve Hanly

Scarborough