The Jefferson City Board of Education agreed on Monday to examine its policies regarding how it communicates with the public and how open forums are handled at its regular meetings.
The three members who comprise the board's policy committee - Pam Murray, Doug Whitehead and John Ruth - plan to meet May 20 to discuss communication practices in more detail.
Murray said the plan is to bring any recommended changes to the seven-member board over the summer.
Currently at the board's open forums, people wishing to speak are asked to give their name, address, any group they represent and the specific agenda item they want to address.
Board protocol asks presentations be as brief as possible, and mostly are limited to five minutes.
And, although speakers are invited to offer "such objective criticisms of school operations and programs as concern them," the board bans personal complaints against school personnel or any person connected with the school system. A speaker may request to meet with the board in closed session if he or she wishes to register a complaint against an employee.
When a district patron speaks at the podium, members listen but typically refrain from responding.
Board President John Ruth said one problem with the way open forums are handled now is that public speakers sometimes leave meetings feeling as if their concerns or suggestions were not heard. Ruth noted high-quality communication requires a give and take between both parties.
"Historically, we've taken speakers' ideas and concerns under advisement," he said. "Our own policies may be preventing us from having as good communication as we would like."
Ruth noted the district school system has embraced the mantra of supporting continuous improvement in all of its endeavors. He added one area of "possible improvement is in the area of board communication" as the board gears up for the important task of asking voters to support building new structures.
"Does the board feel like there is opportunity to improve?" Ruth asked rhetorically.
Past President Dennis Nickelson reminded colleagues of the importance of following the Sunshine Law, which he feels requires board members to confine their remarks to agenda items.
Nickelson said the public can, in an open forum, address almost any topic of interest, but board members are limited in their responses.
Ruth expects the committee to bring back recommendations to the board.
Steve Bruce said the goal of the process is to see if "there is a way to make it more user-friendly, so the board can communicate clearly with the folks" who attend meetings.
Also on Monday, the board heard an in-depth presentation on the challenges the district faces with overcrowding and listened to possible financial solutions for addressing the shortage of education space.
The board also heard an update on the central office's plan to renovate East Elementary School this summer.