PORTAGE | People wanting to speak at a Portage Township School Board meeting will have to fill out a form prior to speaking after a Monday night decision.
The board approved, by a 4-1 vote, a public comment form.
The form, which can be filled out prior or during a meeting, asks potential speakers their name, address, telephone numbers, whether or not they are residents or employees or represent an organization.
It also provides guidelines for speaking and asks for the subject area on which they are speaking.
Board President Cheryl Oprisko said forms will be available on a podium at the meeting room. She said all other policies, such as a three-minute time limit and speaking under other business on the agenda, will be followed.
"This protects the district, superintendent and the board," said Oprisko, adding it gives them a "30-second notice" on issues to be addressed.
Member Debra Ekdahl said she favored the form providing a paper trail for board members in case they wanted to follow up on an issue.
Member Bill Fekete objected, saying he would only favor a sign-in sheet asking name, address and nothing more.
Member Rhonda Nelson, who initially opposed the idea, said she liked the form and agreed since there was no 48-hour prior notification requirement.
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