The Community School District (CSD) Board of Trustees continued a review of its public comment policy March 12. Board members discussed how to balance caution with public engagement and transparency.    

The core issue was whether the board should be able to directly answer public questions and have a discussion with members of the public during a meeting. Current policy recommends they should reserve their responses — especially about items not on the agenda — for another time. They and the school committee have also received guidance to not respond during meetings. According to the district, the approach provides some legal protection and allows members to make a more informed response and/or add items to a future agenda. However, most trustees expressed interest in more fluid communications.   

“There might be six or eight of us sitting around the table but that doesn't mean every one of us knows everything or has thought of every idea,” Chair Troy Lewis said. He thinks the board should be able to listen to someone with a good idea and have a discussion.  

Trustee Paul Roberts said some questions never get answered, lost through the cracks. He cautioned, however, “If we answer something it needs to be 100% factual and correct. We can't talk to you like we're pumping gas (and chatting) ...”  

The board also discussed what rules, such as a time or topic limit, would have to be in place to meet a meeting’s needs and respect its members as well as the public. They agreed to table the discussion for a later date, likely in a joint meeting with the School Committee. According to the district, the two boards’ policies do not have to be the same.   

In other business, Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Finance Director Kathleen Pearce told the board about a CSD budget freeze that began in February. She said it would be extended through March. According to AOS 98 Superintendent Robert Kahler, it was put in place to assist with budget management. “We just wanted to tap the breaks to allow for requisitions all to be processed to assist with year-end projections,” he said.  

Kahler said such a freeze is “fairly common” for school districts, and it’s been done at the CSD before. According to Kahler, the freeze applies to all spending. He said it requires additional justification at the building level as well as at central office.   

Pearce said everything has to go through the district office to be approved, and that spending of over $500 goes across Kahler’s desk. She also reported the freeze to the CSD School Committee March 11.  

The board received updates on the $1.6 million bond project to fund priority repairs. CSD Director of Facilities Dave Benner reported updated estimates and quotes for work, including around $812,000 of work at the elementary-middle school and around $571,000 at the high school. He also said he has reached out to the fire marshal and town code enforcement officer to begin the permitting process, which includes seven permit applications. Voters consider the bond in an April 24 referendum.