District alters meeting policy

DEXTER — The General Brown Central School District Board of Education has modified Policy No. 3220, which covers public participation at board meetings, in time for its Feb. 22 board meeting.

With a 7-0 vote, the board approved a motion to include the statement that no reference shall be made to any specific student, employee's name or position, according to a draft copy of the minutes from Monday night's special meeting.

Board President Jeffrey J. Timerman said the matter is just a better explanation of the process.

"It's more of a clarification of the rules, so people understand they can't, in a public meeting, use the name of a specific student, employee or refer to their position, because it is a legal issue that can't be talked about in public session," Mr. Timerman said. "People don't know the law, and they need to be aware of the law, so when they speak they aren't breaking the law."

He referred to school attorney Keith B. Caughlin, of Schwerzmann & Wise P.C., Watertown, for further explanation of the law, which he did not name.

Calls to Mr. Caughlin were not returned as of 4:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Before the clarification, the board's policy did not include avoiding references to specific students, teachers or positions.

Mr. Timerman said the context of the policy clarification was discussed at the Jan. 25 board meeting, which was attended by a couple of hundred people.

"I read what they could do and couldn't, but because I didn't have a microphone, not all of them could hear me," he said. "There were several people that said, 'We couldn't hear you,' and I believe this will help clarify some of the rules to public speaking during a public meeting."

People who wish to have matters considered at the Feb. 22 meeting should submit the discussion topic and any action they wish the board to take to Cynthia R. Doolittle, district clerk, at least two days before the meeting, as per the board's public participation policy.

The policy also states, "Items not on the agenda shall be considered with the majority consent of the board members present at the meeting."

People who wish to speak at the Feb. 22 board meeting will be required to sign a log upon entering the meeting, and in order of sign-in will state their name, address and opinions. Remarks will be limited to five minutes.

The public participation clarification was the only matter voted on Monday night. Board members voted on the issue at 9:02 p.m., after a three-hour executive session. Mr. Timerman said that the issue was not discussed in executive session but that three personnel matters were.

Although the state Open Meetings Law provides eight guidelines in which a public body may enter executive session, Mr. Timerman declined to elaborate on the personnel matters that were discussed.