Oshkosh Area School District Updates Policy on Public Comments

OSHKOSH, WI- (WISS) – The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) Board of Education voted last week to update the policy on public comments at board meetings. The change will restrict those allowed to speak during the agenda’s public comment time to OASD residents or persons with a child attending school in the OASD. 

The changes require participants to give not their address, but their city of residence, along with their name and group affiliation. Speakers will be allowed three minutes to speak, and public comment will be limited to 45 minutes per meeting. Statements must be directed to the presiding officer, not other participants or staff.

The policy change further prohibits signage, banners, and other materials at meetings as they “impede the view, disrupt the decorum, and affect the participation of the proceedings” for all. 

Arguments for Public Comments Change

Stephanie Carlin, a board member on the committee that drafted the policy change, said it’s about focusing on the board’s business.

“The reason that we would do this, is exactly what we said in the committee,” Carlin said. “It’s to stay focused on what really is important to our students and our community.”

Barbara Herzog said the person making public comments should have standing with the OASD by being a resident of or having a child who attends an OASD school.

“I think it’s important to remember that the purpose of our board meetings is to conduct board business,” said Herzog. “We’re not required by law to have a public comment session. I believe it is important to have a public comment session, but I believe it’s important to be in line with the policy for reconsideration of materials.”

Chris Wright disagreed with one board member who said the policy change was designed to silence certain groups.

“I have a hard time saying that this is silencing any group, when the same parameters are being applied to everyone. And they’re simple, and they’re straightforward. Live here. Have a student here. That applies to the whole community the same way,” Wright said. “To me that is silencing no particular group. I don’t think this is a freedom of speech issue. I think this is an issue of how we want to conduct business in the Oshkosh School District.”

Arguments Against Change

The vote to change Policy 0167.3 on Public Comment on Board Meetings was not unanimous. Board members Timothy Hess and Kelly Dewit voted against the change.

“My opinion is the same as I’ve said the last two times that I am willing to listen to anybody who is interested in coming here,” said Hess. “There are people that live outside of this community that would have something to say that I feel like we should be listening to. So, honestly, I feel like this is an attempt to limit particular people that we know we don’t want to hear from that live outside of the district.”

DeWitt echoed Hess’s opinion that the policy is an attempt to silence those who live outside of the district.

“ I have never been in favor of this policy. I feel as though this is trying to silence a certain group. There’s an opportunity there that somebody from outside of the district or outside of our Oshkosh community could bring us and offer some type of valuable information. And, truthfully, they may be able to teach us something,” DeWitt said.

Additional information

DeWitt and Hess are the same board members who were cleared of wrongdoing, but caused tension by creating stealth social media accounts to oppose the District’s $197.8 million referendum on the April 1 ballot.

All board members have email addresses and phone numbers listed on the district website for anyone, within the district or outside of it, to contact them with questions, concerns or comments.