1/4/23

Look for the Harrisonburg City School Board to revamp its public comment section during school board meetings.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Richards explained during this week’s meeting that as part of the four-year policy review cycle, the board will take a look at the how public comment will take place at meetings.

School Board Chair Deb Fitzgerald pointed out that the policy changes will be discussed at future meetings and will include first and second readings before a final vote so nobody will be surprised about coming into a meeting and seeing the public comment period looking different.

Richards also plans to invite teachers from across the city to the board’s Jan. 17 work session at Thomas Harrison Middle School so they can discuss ways to improve teacher morale. At the final meeting of 2022, elementary teachers told board members they were being “stretched too thin” and needed help.

Board member Kristen Loflin asked if they could also provide the teachers with dinner during the meeting, which starts at 5:30 p.m., and Richards concurred.