Sarasota County School Board talks talk

SARASOTA — The Sarasota County School Board talked talk during Tuesday’s workshop.

Public comment has been expansive, passionate and at times shut down by board members in recent months — especially after the ousting of a former superintendent and an ongoing controversy involving Board member Bridget Ziegler.

On Tuesday’s agenda, public comment policy suggestions were given.

Four new versions of Policy 2.22 were presented to the board for recommendation by board attorney Patrick Duggan.

Version 1 would add regulations on statutory authority for public comment, disruptions at meetings and accommodations items to strengthen policy and authority of the board.Version 2 would limit public comment speaking time by the number of speakers, with 1 to 25 speakers equaling 3 minutes each, 26-50 speakers equaling 2 minutes each and 51+ speakers equaling 1 minute each.

Public speaker time could be used for comment on agenda items or general business of the board or district.

Version 3 would limit public comment speaking time to 90 minutes total, divided evenly among each speaker but not exceeding 3 minutes per speaker. Public speaking time could be used for comment on agenda items or general business of the board or district.Version 4 would split public comment into two portions, with agenda-related comments at the start of meeting and general comments at end of meeting.

It also mirrors Version 2’s public speaking limit based on speaker numbers, noting speakers would only get one period to comment on agenda comments, regardless of how many agenda items they wish to speak on.

An individual speaker would be allowed to speak during both comment periods as long as they turn in a speaker card for each portion.

All four versions include Policy 2.22’s regulations on statutory authority for public comment, disruptions at meetings and accommodations, Duggan said.

Board members were not quick to offer their opinions.

Tim Enos began the conversation by questioning the use and acceptance of signs in the boardroom during public comment. He clarified his support of the First Amendment but concern for hate groups who might abuse the board’s currently lax policy on signage in the boardroom.

“I think that everybody has the right to do that, but if a hate group decides to come to the meeting, what we choose as okay will become inconsistent,” he said.

The board spoke on various solutions to remedy the issue, including banning certain sizes to avoid blocking attendees from seeing the meeting to requesting those attending with signs sit in the back.

Ziegler shared her support of Versions 2 and 3, which both limit public comment speaking time by the number of speakers.

“I think if you put a cap on a time limit but then making it even for each speaker allows it to be free from a free-for-all,” Ziegler said. “But my concern for the time cap is there are people who may weaponize it with a wave of speakers who want to speak on one issue and maximize that during the public comment.”

Rose shared her support of Version 2 as well, stating the policy aligns with her focus on student education rather than non-agenda related public comments.

Tom Edwards shared his dissent for the 90-minute rule and limited regulations in Versions 2 and 3, asking the board instead allow 3 minutes of public comment on agenda items first and general business comments after the consent agenda.

“I am mostly concerned about public comments concerning the business of the board,” Edwards said. “I would not be supportive of the 90-minute rule, because I don’t want to limit comments whatever speakers want to express so I can get feedback at meetings.”

Robyn Marinelli shared her own dissent for Edwards’ suggestion, stating the time cap would help redirect the meeting’s focus on agenda items.

“I like simple, because I’ve always been told if you can’t say what needs to be said in one or two minutes, it’s too long,” she said.

While no decisions have been made, Rose said the board is looking to decide on a new policy in the next month to allow ample notice to the community.