STATEHOUSE — A bill authored by State Senator Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) that would allow public comment at school board meetings has passed the Senate, and now moves to the Governor for final consideration.
Senate Enrolled Act 83 would require the governing body of a public school corporation or charter school to allow or require open comment at meetings before final action, like a vote, is taken.
This bill puts in provisions for when a disaster emergency is in effect. The school board is not required to have a public meeting if the state or local unit of government declares an emergency, and:
- Meeting in person would present an imminent risk to the health or safety of the members of the public and the governing body because of the circumstances that led to the disaster emergency; and
- One or more schools within the governing body’s jurisdiction are closed at the time of the meeting because of a particular danger, threat, or emergency condition because of the disaster emergency.
“SEA 83 would give parents the right to voice their concerns during school board meetings about any issues they may have,” Leising said. “Increasing communication between the community and school boards is a great way to benefit students and our education system, and I am glad to see this bill moving to the governor.”
To learn more about SEA 83 or other bills, visit iga.in.gov.
(State Senator Jean Leising press release)
