Q:  Why aren't public comments welcome after each motion and before the vote is taken as in the past?

A:  Two opportunities are provided for public comments on each meeting agenda.  One before any action items so comments may be provided before Board members vote and another at the end of the meeting for comments on non-agenda items or in response to the outcome of a certain vote.

Remember, our School Board meetings are Business meetings to conduct the business of the school district.  We welcome comments at the top of the agenda and at the end of the agenda, and Board members welcome comments at any time between meetings.

A survey was conducted of neighboring school districts (by looking at their meeting agendas) and here is what was found:

Districts that provide an opportunity for public comments twice (before and after a vote like Shippensburg is currently doing) are:

1.  Chambersburg Area School District
2.  Carlisle Area School District
3.  Waynesboro Area School District
4.  Big Spring Area School District
5.  Cumberland Valley School District
6.  East Pennsboro School District
7.  Mechanicsburg School District
8.  West Perry School District

Districts that allow public comments before action items only (at the top of the agenda) are:

1.  Gettysburg Area School District
2.  Camp Hill School District
3.  South Middleton School District
4.  Tuscarora School District
5.  Susquehanna School District
6.  Middletown School District
7.  Lower Dauphin School District
8.  Halifax School District
9.  Central Dauphin School District

*Note that no other district allows public comments after each and every action item on the agenda.

I hope this helps.  Thank you for your inquiry.