The Bluewater public school board is looking to change the amount of time delegations get to speak.
The proposal was to allow for a maximum of 45 minutes for delegations at each board meeting, giving delegations with notice 10 minutes, and those who didn’t give notice, five minutes.
However, Trustee Margaret Gaviller says each delegation that hasn’t given prior notice should have to state what their topic is before they’re allowed to go ahead and speak.
Trustee John Chapman agrees with Gaviller.
Trustee Paul Wehrle says devoting 30 per cent of a board meeting to delegations is too much.
He presented his own proposal that 20 minutes be given for delegations at each meeting and that no more than two of them be allowed.
The issue has been sent back to the subcommittee that has been looking at the issue.
Trustee Tim Reaburn says by the time the group comes up with a recommendation — they will also have decided if the board will move to meeting twice a month starting in September 2010.
Wehrle says if they choose to go to two meetings, they’ll structure the by-laws around it.
Wehrle notes there is nothing in the Education Ministry legislation that requires school boards to allow delegations — and says some boards don’t allow them.