The School Committee recently ratified Policy BEDH-E, otherwise known as “Guidelines for Public Comment.” As you might expect, the policy does just that: it outlines the process for Duxbury residents who wish to make comments during School Committee meetings.

Public Comment is a one-way form of communication. Because Massachusetts Open Meeting Law (OML) prevents the Committee from deliberating on topics not on a meeting agenda, members are generally not permitted to respond to public comment. Even if the commenter asks questions of the Committee, members are obliged to remain silent to comply with OML.

This raises a natural question: Can a community member or group have a two-way, interactive conversation with the School Committee?

By all means, yes. Besides covering guidelines for making one-way public comment, Policy BEDH-E also states the following:

“Any citizen who wishes to make a presentation to the School Committee on an item which is of interest to them and within the scope of the Committee’s responsibilities may request to be placed on the agenda for a particular meeting.”

“Make a presentation” doesn’t necessarily mean crafting and delivering a PowerPoint (although it could). It simply means that you can participate in the discussion of the topic in question. If your agenda request is approved, it would be your responsibility to kick off the agenda item — and even answer questions — at the meeting.

Boom. Interactive discussion in a School Committee meeting on a topic that holds a shared interest among members, the community, and of course, yourself.

You can always have a conversation with any one member, outside of meetings. Just reach out using the contact information on the School Committee web page.

P.S. I also hold my own office hours. 🙂