School District Changes Open Forum Procedure, Online Request Form Now Required

(KNSI) – The Sartell-St. Stephen School District has changed the procedure to let the board know a person wants to speak to at a meeting. Those wishing to address the board must fill out an online request before talking at an open forum.

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Ridlehoover says the goal is to build a dialogue with residents and answer questions ahead of time.

“We thought it would be more helpful if we could engage those who wish to speak in a two way conversation prior to them speaking. In no way does it exclude them from being able to speak at the open forum. It simply provides them if they choose an opportunity to visit with myself or a member of the board prior to speaking at the board meeting.”

Ridlehoover says if a person doesn’t want to speak to district officials before the board meeting, they don’t have to and can just show up to talk as long as the form was filled out. He says they’re not trying to limit free speech.

“You know, I heard some feedback are we need to look to censor comments. And the answer to that is absolutely not. I wouldn’t do that. Our board wouldn’t do that. We want to hear from residents.”

To address the board, you must be a district resident, staff member, student, or have a child attending one of the district’s schools. Initially, the board would limit topics to only items on the agenda but have since changed that procedure. Anyone can bring up any issue. Ridlehoover says the conversations between the board and the community have been productive.

“I want to really thank those who have come to open forum with very few exceptions. People have been able to respectfully share differences of opinions on things. And I really want to commend our residents for being able to do that.”

He says the open forum is limited to ten speakers, with each person getting up to three minutes. The new procedure was used at Monday’s school board meeting and everyone who wanted to speak was able to. There were three speakers on a variety of topics.

The agenda for Monday’s school board meetings will be posted on Thursdays. Those wishing to speak at the open forum must fill out the online request by noon on the Friday before the meeting.

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