The Denver Public Schools’ Board of Education has decided to make changes to its public comment session, reducing the time for individual community members to address the board starting in January. The unanimous decision to approve these changes comes as the board plans to introduce new listening sessions in their respective districts.
The new policy, approved without debate, decreases the time allotted for each speaker from three minutes to two minutes. The public comment session will also be moved to the directors’ work session and will now allow virtual participation. Furthermore, the policy restricts participation to Denver residents or those with a direct connection to the district. These changes will take effect on January 1, with virtual public comments starting in the 2025-26 academic year. Additionally, board members will begin hosting listening sessions in their districts in February.
Previously, the board met at least three times a month at the district’s headquarters in downtown Denver. With the new policy, the separate Monday meeting for public comment will be eliminated, and the two-hour time limit will be removed. However, comments on individual topics will still be limited to 30 minutes, with an additional 30-minute limit for topics unrelated to any upcoming vote that month. If a topic is expected to exceed these limits, directors may hold a special public comment session without restrictions.
Board President Carrie Olson emphasized that the goal of these changes is not to restrict voices but to build a better relationship with the community. The board aims to create a more efficient and inclusive public comment process while also providing opportunities for in-depth discussions through the new listening sessions.
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