Barring a legal hurdle, public comment will return to being part of the broadcast Hastings School Board meetings.

The school board held a first reading of a policy change at its Thursday, Jan. 24 meeting. The board decided not to speed along the process and dispense of second and third readings of the policy, as it is still waiting for the district law firm to weigh in on the change.

Several years ago, the board moved public comment from board meetings. The sessions were held prior to the regular monthly meeting in a room adjacent to the Hastings Middle School Media Center, where the board meets with two board members hearing concerns of the public. Those two board members then gave a report on what was brought up during the public comment session during the regular board meeting.

Late last year, a policy change was made to have public comment at 5:45 p.m. in front of the entire school board but prior to the board meeting, so comments were not broadcast on the Hastings Community TV feed.

At the board’s organizational meeting in January, the majority of board members favored bringing public comment back to within the board meeting, with comments aired on HCTV as part of the meeting. At that time, it was decided to get feedback from HCTV and from the district’s law firm to make sure they didn’t see problems with it.

Director Mark Zuzek at that time raised concerns that the district could face legal problems if someone says something slanderous, verbally attacks staff or students or releases protected data information.

Under the revised policy, public participation will take place after the meeting introduction, Pledge of Allegiance and Raider Spotlight. Public comment will be live streamed by HCTV.

Superintendent Dr. Tamara Champa said she spoke with HCTV. She said that if there are problems with a commenter, HCTV will be directed to “stop it immediately,” she said of the live stream.

“Have we heard back from legal on their perspective?” Zuzek asked.

Chair Carrie Tate said the district will proceed with the plan until they hear anything to the contrary from legal.

“We will proceed down this road until we hear negative feedback from them. I think that’s fair,” she said.

Director and Policy Committee Chair Jessica Dressley asked, “Are we moving forward to fast track this policy?”

Tate said a special board meeting could be held at the February board work session February 13. The policy could have its third and final reading then at the Feb. 21 board meeting.

“I guess that’s the proposal on the table, if we would like to fast track this. Otherwise, normal cadence would be first reading tonight, Feb. 21 second reading and final reading, hopefully for adoption, March 27,” said Tate.

Zuzek responded, “It seems to me that until we hear back from legal, I’ll just say that I’m uncomfortable.”

Without fast-tracking the change, it would mean that the public comment change would occur at the April board meeting, rather than the March board meeting.

“I could go either way on this,” said Tate.

“I would just speak to doing our due diligence with legal and wait that out. I don’t think we have any need to rush it,” said Director Matt Bruns.

With no opposition to waiting one more month, the second and third readings will be held in February and March.

Procedures are still in place where people who want to comment before the board have to fill out the Public Participation at School Board Meetings Procedures and Request form available on the school district website and submit a request by 8 a.m. the day prior to the regular monthly meeting. Only speakers recognized by the school board will be allowed to speak.