McKinney ISD announces new start time for public comments during school board meetings

Members of the public who speak at McKinney ISD school board meetings will have to head to the district’s Community Event Center earlier in the evening.

The district announced in an April 14 email that the public comment portion of board meetings will be from 6-6:30 p.m. This change will take effect at the next meeting, which is scheduled for April 26.

The doors to the Community Event Center will open at 5:30 p.m., the email stated. People who would like to speak during public comment must complete a speaker participation form that will be available in the foyer prior to the meeting.

“Public comment provides an opportunity for members of the McKinney ISD community to address the board about a topic that may or may not be on the board meeting agenda,” the district’s email said.

Public comment speakers receive one to three minutes to speak, depending on how many people sign up for the forum, according to the district. During school board meetings, the district allots 30 minutes for public comments.

Previously, public comments took place after the board’s closed session, presentations from district departments and the board consent agenda. Beginning April 26, meetings will begin with public comment, and then the board will enter closed session. After the closed session, the open meeting will start at approximately 7 p.m., per the district email.

Except for the closed session, which is designated for consultation with the board’s attorney and deliberation about district employees, MISD board meetings are open to the public.