The COVID-19 pandemic has upended how government bodies across the region conduct their public meetings, but public comment during the meetings has remained a staple for many, including the Pennsbury School District.
During virtual meeting last Thursday evening, School Board President Christine Toy-Dragoni broke with recent tradition and skipped over reading and reviewing public comment. There was little reason given during the meeting for the abrupt change to the way the elected officials handle comments from the taxpayers.
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Several people who submitted comments about reopening for in-person classes contacted LevittownNow.com with concerns about their comments not being heard.
Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act calls for government bodies, including school boards, to accept public comment. Government bodies can put time limits on comments and limit public comment to residents and taxpayers under their jurisdiction. School boards are required to receive public comment, but they don’t have to respond. However, many elected and administrative officials often respond to questions and sometimes even criticisms.
The pandemic has allowed government bodies in the state to accept public comment through telecommunication devices or via email and snail mail. Previously, public comment occurred in-person during meetings.
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“All of the public comment will be attached to the minutes,” Toy-Dragoni said during last Thursday’s meeting.
The school board in recent months has displayed many comments and read some during their public meetings, but released the full set of comments via BoardDocs at a later time.
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When asked, Toy-Dragoni said in a statement: “There is no legal requirement for public comment to be read aloud or displayed on a screen during a meeting. In accordance with Act 15 of 2020, under the Governor’s COVID-19 Emergency Order, any members of the public who wish to provide public comment, may do so in writing.”
“The Board reviewed and considered all the written public comment submitted by 4:00pm (Thursday),” Toy-Dragoni said. “All those written comments will also be attached to the minutes of yesterday’s meeting. All previous minutes and written public comment are available through the District’s website.”
“The Board continues to welcome public comment. We appreciate that this system of written public comment has greatly expanded the number of residents who can make their views known directly to the Board, and we look forward to continuing to use this method,” she said.
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District attorneys in Pennsylvania are able to prosecute potential violations to the Sunshine Act. In guidance, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association said that “public participation … is a necessity.”
“Common-sense should also prevail here. There may be no singular way to meet this statutory requirement, but no doubt government officials working together can identify ways to permit their constituents to have a voice in a manner that is achievable given whatever technology and other methods of communication are available in their communities,” the organization noted.
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