Cape school board to allow in-person public input only

Cape Henlopen school board voted unanimously Feb. 11 to update a policy defining public comment and citizens’ participation at school board meetings.

The board first discussed the policy Jan. 28, when President Alison Myers said public comment has been allowed virtually throughout the pandemic although the board has been meeting in person since August 2020. In the first several months of the pandemic, the board met virtually only. Meetings held in person are also aired virtually via Zoom, Myers said.

The approved policy clarifies that if the board is meeting in person, public comment on agenda or non-agenda items would also be conducted in person. If the board has to meet virtually only again, public comment would be allowed virtually, Myers said Jan. 28.

According to the Delaware Department of Justice, the Freedom of Information Act allows the public to observe open meetings, but it doesn’t require a public body to allow public comment during a meeting. Public bodies are allowed to establish their own rules and procedures for public comment during open meetings.

Board meeting minutes and audio recordings are available at capehenlopenschools.com.