Caddo Parish School Board meeting erupts in confusion over new public speaking rules
The Caddo Parish School Board faced chaos during its latest meeting while trying to enforce newly adopted rules. Confusion arose over public speaking time for consent agenda items, leading to heated debates and procedural missteps. Board members and legal advisors clashed over how to apply the changes fairly and clearly. The trouble began when the board realised it had started processing consent agenda items before opening public comments. This mistake forced members to pause and reconsider their approach. Board President Don Little admitted the new procedure was unfamiliar to everyone, adding to the uncertainty.
Attorney Reginald Abrams stepped in, advising the board to return to its previous process for handling consent agenda items. Meanwhile, members debated whether speaking time should be allocated per item or as a single combined period. The confusion grew as they attempted—and then abandoned—a new method for placing items on the consent agenda. Under the revised rules, the public can now speak on consent agenda items before votes, with at least two minutes guaranteed per item. Citizen speaker John Glover tested the new system by addressing eight separate agenda items, including three on the consent agenda. However, Glover also criticised the board, accusing members of weakening transparency in their policy revisions. The board struggled to interpret the language it had approved earlier that day, leaving both officials and attendees frustrated by the lack of clarity.
The meeting exposed gaps in the board’s understanding of its own procedures. Legal guidance and public feedback highlighted the need for clearer rules. For now, the board must decide whether to refine the new system or revert to older methods to avoid further disruptions.
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